A new catchment programme in the Cromwell Basin has the potential to bring people together and tackle more than just land sustainability issues, Otago Regional councillor Gretchen Robertson says.
The council has begun a three-year community "peri-urban'' catchment plan aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues and encouraging sustainable land and water management practices in an area that is changing from rural to urban land use.
Land resources officer Nicola McGrouther said in a report to the environmental science committee that rapid population and economic growth in the past five years had resulted in major land-use changes on the terraces and lower hills of the valley.
"The area, which was previously dominated by extensive sheep and beef farming and orchards, has experienced a boom in viticulture, tourism and the development of a significant industrial and commercial area.''
The population had boomed, with a 34% growth rate from 2001-2006, to 4896.
Another 200 dwellings had been built since then, with 58% of the population in the past five years coming from out of town, she said.
The development put increasing pressure on water and waste schemes and had implications for pest control and air and water quality.
Cr Robertson said it was a unique approach to issues including pests, air quality and waste in an area with a lot of overlapping responsibilities.
Environmental information and science director Dr John Threlfall said for the past year, staff had been talking to people and had met industry groups and local agencies.
A field day would be held next month to look at some of the diverse issues.
Cr Sam Shepherd said people new to the area might not be aware of its unique issues, so the programme would be "brilliant''.
Chief executive Graeme Martin said it had the potential to significantly influence land use.
