Improving access to the lower Waitaki River is one of the priorities for the Lower Waitaki River Management Society, enthusiastic about tackling the problem after a visit to a Southland trust on the Waiau River.
The first project will be to improve the boat launching facilities on the south side of the Waitaki River below the State Highway 1 bridge, flooded in recent times as the main braid of the river moved south.
The Waitaki society was set up after community meetings to prepare and implement a management strategy for the lower river.
It decided to visit the Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust because of its relationship with Meridian Energy Ltd and the way that works in managing the hydro-affected Waiau River.
The Waitaki group faces similar issues with the lower Waitaki River.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) resource care co-ordinator Julia Laming, who works with the Lower Waitaki society, said yesterday the visit helped the group understand what it needed to do.
One of the priorities would be to improve boat, vehicle and walking access to the river, discussed at a meeting last week and attended by about 20 people.
The first project would be to improve the SH1 boat ramp facilities. ECan senior engineering officer Bruce Scarlett would produce a report on the work needed, including flood protection and removing willows in the launch area.
Ms Laming said cost estimates would be prepared so the society could explore funding.
The society was investigating building launch facilities on the north bank of the river near the SH1 picnic area. Most people appeared to be ‘‘pretty happy'' with boat access elsewhere.
Other issues explored with the Waiau trust were wetland development, funding, fisheries and wildlife enhancement.
