Waitaki joins land use trust

A decision by the Mackenzie District Council to become involved with an environmental trust for the Omarama and Mackenzie Basins means the neighbouring Waitaki District Council will also now participate.

The Mackenzie Sustainable Futures Trust proposed by Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, and supported by Minister for the Environment Nick Smith, would adopt a collaborative approach between residents, and landowners and environmental groups to develop a shared vision and strategy for the Omarama and Mackenzie regions.

Last month, the Waitaki District Council decided to support the trust by appointing Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton a trustee, but that was subject to participation by the Mackenzie council.

On Tuesday, the Mackenzie council, somewhat tentatively, decided to be involved, appointing its Mayor, Claire Barlow,a trustee and making $5000 available to the trust.

That decision cleared the way for the involvement of both councils.

Waitaki's decision was also somewhat tentative, at least until the trust's terms of reference and direction were known.

Mrs Dean's proposal followed a seminar in Twizel in November, organised by the Environmental Defence Society, to consider the effects of future development in the regions, particularly more irrigation and land use intensification.

The trust was discussed at a meeting in Twizel on February 10 and 11, called by Mrs Dean, and involving a wide range of groups and government departments.

The proposal is to have a trust made up of trustees at the top and a working group who would do the work in developing a vision and strategy.

The aim is to avoid expensive litigation through the courts on development in the two regions.