WATER CONSENT SURRENDERED

A Rangitata River-based irrigation company says it ‘‘surrendered’’ its consent to take more water in high flows because of freshwater management reforms.

Rangitata Diversion Race Management Ltd (RDRML) confirmed on February 24 it had relinquished its consent, which it had been granted by an Environment Canterburyappointed independent panel in 2018, to take an extra 10 cubic metres per second of water when the river was in high flows.

RDRML chairman Richard Wilson confirmed that decision came in response to the Government’s proposed reforms on freshwater, which were released late 2020.

‘‘Firstly, in light of the significant legislative and policy reform at a national level since the appeals were lodged, and in particular the new National Policy Statement Freshwater Management 2020 and Freshwater Planning Process, the company considers it is appropriate to let that planning process run its course in respect of the Rangitata River,’’ Wilson said.

‘‘Secondly, and very importantly, we would like to have a stronger relationship with Te Ru¯nanga o Arowhenua and we see the appeal process as an impediment to developing a stronger relationship.’’

RDRML chief executive Tony McCormick said there had also been ‘‘changes in conversation’’ around freshwater management, and he expected ECan would be looking at ‘‘something like a statutory plan’’ for the Rangitata River.

The consent had been in the Environment Court appeals process after appeals from Nga¯i Tahu and Te Ru¯ nanga o Arowhenua, while Central South Island Fish and Game had been party to the appeal.

‘‘Our priority is keeping the conversation going with Te Ru¯nanga o Arowhenua and groups such as Fish and Game. There’s a better process rather than the litigious one of the Environment Court,’’ McCormick said.

A Te Ru¯ nanga o Arowhenua spokesperson said they were pleased with the decision not to pursue the resource consent.