Comments on: unique landscape threatened http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/2009/10/hello-world/ the voice of our rivers Mon, 04 Jul 2011 08:32:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Trent Spittle http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/2009/10/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Trent Spittle Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:56:29 +0000 http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/?p=1#comment-46 I feel I personally need to voice my opinion on this matter to add some mediation in between the comments I have been reading. Firsty these people who deem to be so committed to protecting the landscape in mention, need to understand the full facts of what irrigation is really about on this land. I for one have a great regard for this part of the country also, although as mentioned by one person" to make pastoristists rich" is totally out of context. If these people have so much regard for the land, then why don't they purchase a property of their own, there has been several for sale in the last 5 years! Everyone wants to protect this very scenic and beautiful place, although at present it seems to be only the farmer actually preparing to invest money to "protect and look after it" They also need to make a living, although non farmers may never understand this. I feel I personally need to voice my opinion on this matter to add some mediation in between the comments I have been reading. Firsty these people who deem to be so committed to protecting the landscape in mention, need to understand the full facts of what irrigation is really about on this land. I for one have a great regard for this part of the country also, although as mentioned by one person” to make pastoristists rich” is totally out of context. If these people have so much regard for the land, then why don’t they purchase a property of their own, there has been several for sale in the last 5 years! Everyone wants to protect this very scenic and beautiful place, although at present it seems to be only the farmer actually preparing to invest money to “protect and look after it” They also need to make a living, although non farmers may never understand this.

]]> By: dave launder http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/2009/10/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-14 dave launder Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:14:30 +0000 http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/?p=1#comment-14 this would be an incredible rape of the land just to make some selfish pastoralists rich and the country exponentially poorer. this would be an incredible rape of the land just to make some selfish pastoralists rich and the country exponentially poorer.

]]> By: TIM HEATH http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/2009/10/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-9 TIM HEATH Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:19:24 +0000 http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/?p=1#comment-9 WE oppose the applications in so far as they result in potential adverse effects on the natural landscape values of the Mackenzie Basin and upper Waitaki catchment. The relief I seek is that these consents be declined, reduced or confined so that their potential effects on natural character and natural landscape values, individually and cumulatively, are not significantly adverse on the outstanding landscape values of local, regional, national and international significance. tim heath WE oppose the applications in so far as they result in potential adverse effects on the natural landscape values of the Mackenzie Basin and upper Waitaki catchment.

The relief I seek is that these consents be declined, reduced or confined so that their potential effects on natural character and natural landscape values, individually and cumulatively, are not significantly adverse on the outstanding landscape values of local, regional, national and international significance.
tim heath

]]> By: Peter Anderson http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/2009/10/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Peter Anderson Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:58:38 +0000 http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/?p=1#comment-8 TO: CANTERBURY REGIONAL COUNCIL CHRISTCHURCH E te Rakatira, tena koe, Ko Peter Anderson toku ikoa Ko Kati mamoe me Kai Tahu oku iwi, No Murihuku ahau Ko Aoraki toku mauka Ko Waitaki toku awa Tena koutou Tena koutou Tena koutou katoa. My ancestors utilized the natural values of this taoka wahi/whenua in a sustainable manner for nearly 1,000 years with out ever having to modify the ecological, natural and landscape values. To accept the below water take and irrigation proposals will destroy this taoka wahi where it has not been irrigated or ploughed before. There fore my submission is relevant to those taoka wahi areas that were not irrigated prior to 2000. These land scapes and ecological values need to be protected as does the water that will be taken from the tears of the Waitaki River. Two of my grand fathers were also run holders from the Otago high country so i do have an understanding of the high country and Mackenzie country from that point of view as well. SUBMISSION ON: Applications by various applicants for resource consents to authorise various diversions, takes, discharges, dams and uses of water, excavation and disturbance of river bed and all other associated activities within the Upper Waitaki River Catchment. The submissions relate to the identified applications in their entirety. Pursuant to section 96(1) of the Resource Management Act 1991, I make the following submission in respect of the above applications. WE oppose the applications in so far as they result in potential adverse effects on the natural landscape values of the Mackenzie Basin and upper Waitaki catchment. The relief I seek is that these consents be declined, reduced or confined so that their potential effects on natural character and natural landscape values, individually and cumulatively, are not significantly adverse on the outstanding landscape values of local, regional, national and international significance. OUR SUBMISSION IS THAT: 1. The applications are deficient in their assessment of effects of the proposed activities on the environment. In particular the applications lack assessment of actual, potential and cumulative landscape effects of the proposed activities on the environment, including assessing the natural and natural landscape values the environment currently contains, and the potential direct and indirect landscape and visual effects, and effects on natural character, that may result from the various activities sought. 2. The effects of concern are from construction of infrastructure as well as from application of water resulting in changes to landscape and ecological character, and to amenity values. 3. As endorsed by Commissioner Skelton in requiring notification of these applications (22/06/07) the proposed use of the water in each of these applications needs to be considered with respect to potential adverse effects, including from: Taking and diversion of water: • Effects on instream ecosystems • Effects on existing users • Effect on recreational users • Effect on natural character and amenity values Use of water: • Effects on groundwater quality and quantity through use of water for irrigation purposes. • Effects on landscape values through intensification of land use as a result of irrigation Damming of water: • Effects on water quality. • Effects on instream ecosystems • Effects on bank and bed morphology through erosion or flooding Disturbance of the river bed, construction of diversion, intake or discharge structures • Effects on instream ecosystems • Effect on existing users • Effect on recreational users • Effect on natural character and amenity values. 4. Whilst mostly far from pristine, the landscapes in which the applications propose to apply irrigation water are valued for their naturalness. In these regionally significant landscapes, the landscape effect of such use of water is required to be addressed in considering the applications. This has not been undertaken. 5. also … Statutory context 6. The proposed activities do not promote sustainable management of natural and physical resources and are contrary to Part II of the Resource Management Act 1991, in particular sections 5, 6(a), 6 (b); 6(c), 6(f); 7(c), 7(d), 7(f) and 7(g). 7. The applications are contrary to the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement, including the Objectives, Policies and other provisions of Chapters 8, 10 and 20. 8. The applications do not satisfy the intent of the Canterbury Conservation Management Strategy, the Mackenzie District Plan, or the Waitaki District Plan including Variation 2. We seek the following decision from the Consent authority: 9. Unless landscape effects and takaka whenua considerations can be avoided on those taoka wahi land areas still remaining natural (not having been ploughed or irrigated) since 2000 (note, that my ancestors utilized these lands in a sustainable manner to harvest birds, fish and plants with out ever having the need to modify or change the ecological and landscape values for nearly 1,000 years), then we seek that the applications be declined Kia ora Naku noa, na, Peter Anderson. TO: CANTERBURY REGIONAL COUNCIL CHRISTCHURCH
E te Rakatira, tena koe,
Ko Peter Anderson toku ikoa
Ko Kati mamoe me Kai Tahu oku iwi,
No Murihuku ahau
Ko Aoraki toku mauka
Ko Waitaki toku awa
Tena koutou
Tena koutou
Tena koutou katoa.
My ancestors utilized the natural values of this taoka wahi/whenua in a sustainable manner for nearly 1,000 years with out ever having to modify the ecological, natural and landscape values. To accept the below water take and irrigation proposals will destroy this taoka wahi where it has not been irrigated or ploughed before. There fore my submission is relevant to those taoka wahi areas that were not irrigated prior to 2000. These land scapes and ecological values need to be protected as does the water that will be taken from the tears of the Waitaki River. Two of my grand fathers were also run holders from the Otago high country so i do have an understanding of the high country and Mackenzie country from that point of view as well.

SUBMISSION ON: Applications by various applicants for resource consents to authorise various diversions, takes, discharges, dams and uses of water, excavation and disturbance of river bed and all other associated activities within the Upper Waitaki River Catchment. The submissions relate to the identified applications in their entirety.

Pursuant to section 96(1) of the Resource Management Act 1991, I make the following submission in respect of the above applications.

WE oppose the applications in so far as they result in potential adverse effects on the natural landscape values of the Mackenzie Basin and upper Waitaki catchment.

The relief I seek is that these consents be declined, reduced or confined so that their potential effects on natural character and natural landscape values, individually and cumulatively, are not significantly adverse on the outstanding landscape values of local, regional, national and international significance.

OUR SUBMISSION IS THAT:

1. The applications are deficient in their assessment of effects of the proposed activities on the environment. In particular the applications lack assessment of actual, potential and cumulative landscape effects of the proposed activities on the environment, including assessing the natural and natural landscape values the environment currently contains, and the potential direct and indirect landscape and visual effects, and effects on natural character, that may result from the various activities sought.

2. The effects of concern are from construction of infrastructure as well as from application of water resulting in changes to landscape and ecological character, and to amenity values.

3. As endorsed by Commissioner Skelton in requiring notification of these applications (22/06/07) the proposed use of the water in each of these applications needs to be considered with respect to potential adverse effects, including from:

Taking and diversion of water:
• Effects on instream ecosystems
• Effects on existing users
• Effect on recreational users
• Effect on natural character and amenity values

Use of water:
• Effects on groundwater quality and quantity through use of water for irrigation purposes.
• Effects on landscape values through intensification of land use as a result of irrigation

Damming of water:
• Effects on water quality.
• Effects on instream ecosystems
• Effects on bank and bed morphology through erosion or flooding

Disturbance of the river bed, construction of diversion, intake or discharge structures
• Effects on instream ecosystems
• Effect on existing users
• Effect on recreational users
• Effect on natural character and amenity values.

4. Whilst mostly far from pristine, the landscapes in which the applications propose to apply irrigation water are valued for their naturalness. In these regionally significant landscapes, the landscape effect of such use of water is required to be addressed in considering the applications. This has not been undertaken.

5. also …

Statutory context

6. The proposed activities do not promote sustainable management of natural and physical resources and are contrary to Part II of the Resource Management Act 1991, in particular sections 5, 6(a), 6 (b); 6(c), 6(f); 7(c), 7(d), 7(f) and 7(g).

7. The applications are contrary to the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement, including the Objectives, Policies and other provisions of Chapters 8, 10 and 20.

8. The applications do not satisfy the intent of the Canterbury Conservation Management Strategy, the Mackenzie District Plan, or the Waitaki District Plan including Variation 2.

We seek the following decision from the Consent authority:

9. Unless landscape effects and takaka whenua considerations can be avoided on those taoka wahi land areas still remaining natural (not having been ploughed or irrigated) since 2000 (note, that my ancestors utilized these lands in a sustainable manner to harvest birds, fish and plants with out ever having the need to modify or change the ecological and landscape values for nearly 1,000 years), then we seek that the applications be declined
Kia ora
Naku noa, na,
Peter Anderson.

]]> By: Barbara Chinn http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/2009/10/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Barbara Chinn Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:34:34 +0000 http://mackenzieguardians.co.nz/?p=1#comment-7 The natural significant landscape will be changed by the application of irrigation, and the tourism industry stands to diminish as this unique landscape disappears and is replaced by green pasture-land such as can be seen in many other parts of the country and the world. in the long term, the potential loss to New Zealand of income from tourism would outweigh the relatively short-term advantages brought by irrigation to a few. The natural significant landscape will be changed by the application of irrigation, and the tourism industry stands to diminish as this unique landscape disappears and is replaced by green pasture-land such as can be seen in many other parts of the country and the world. in the long term, the potential loss to New Zealand of income from tourism would outweigh the relatively short-term advantages brought by irrigation to a few.

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