A new way to manage Canterbury's water resources now has the support of all 10 district and city councils in Canterbury, including the Waitaki District Council.
The Canterbury Water Management Strategy has been prepared under the guidance of the Canterbury Mayoral Forum with the support of Environment Canterbury (ECan).
However, the future of the strategy, including its implementation, now rests with the Government, which still has to decide what to do with a report that criticises the way ECan has handled water management and recommends setting up a Canterbury Water Management Authority.
Ashburton Mayor Bede O'Malley, chairman of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy steering committee, said the strategy was gaining real momentum now all Canterbury councils had endorsed it.
The Waitaki District Council was the last, giving the nod at its council meeting last Wednesday.
The strategy provides for a collaborative approach to water management in Canterbury and Mr Bede said receiving endorsement by the 10 councils and ECan demonstrated the commitment to finding community-led solutions for water issues in the region.
The Canterbury Water Management Strategy is being implemented by ECan in conjunction with Canterbury territorial authorities, central government, Ngai Tahu, as well as key water stakeholders.
"We believe the Canterbury Water Management Strategy will allow us to get decision-making around water issues out of the courts and into the community where it belongs," he said.