A trust and working party will be set up with the aim of
developing the Omarama and Mackenzie Basins collaboratively.
More than 40 people supported setting up a trust, at a
two-day meeting she had called in Twizel, Waitaki MP Jacqui
Dean said.
The proposal to set up the Mackenzie Sustainable Futures
Trust had come under criticism from some local people. The
Waitaki and Mackenzie District councils, who govern the two
areas, had been lukewarm.
Mackenzie Mayor Claire Barlow attended both days. Waitaki
deputy mayor Jim Hopkins attended Friday's session.
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton said his council's next step
would depend on the contents of Mr Hopkins' report and
decisions yet to be made by the Mackenzie District Council.
On Tuesday the Waitaki District Council tentatively agreed Mr
Familton could be one of the trustees, but said it depended
on the Mackenzie District Council's decision. The Waitaki
council also decided any future involvement would depend on
the trust's terms of reference, aims and direction.
A two-tier structure for the trust is proposed. It will
comprise the trust and the working party. The trust will seek
funding for the collaborative process, manage and account for
those funds, contract a chairman agreed to by participants,
use consultants as needed and resolve disputes.
The working party will do the main work. The party will be
made up of participating organisations and is hoped to number
no more than 20. The working party will represent the various
communities of interest.
Application will now be made to the environment minister for
funding to further develop the trust, and the working party,
which Mrs Dean will not be on, will continue the process.
Mrs Dean will continue as a trustee, with other trustees to
be appointed.
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