The society was formed in 2004 to protect and enhance in a sustainable way the lower Waitaki River and has been active in producing a community-based management strategy, taking part in resource consent processes, and has investigated improving wetlands and providing access for recreational users.
Chairman Bill Penno, in his 2010-11 report to the annual meeting on Wednesday night, said it had been a busy year.
One issue was the resource consents applications by Meridian Energy Ltd to take water for the north bank tunnel concept power scheme.
Water-only consents had been granted, but Meridian still needed land use consents from Environment Canterbury and the Waimate District Council.
Meridian had changed the concept to incorporate a canal in the middle section, which would need more negotiation with landowners and more complicated engineering.
The eventual outcome was still probably some years away after Meridian had completed an economic analysis on the feasibility of the scheme.
"The society has an obligation to monitor the progress and be proactive in the interim," Mr Penno said.
Preservation of the high-quality water in the lower river was another focus and every effort had to be made to prevent degradation.
The society supported irrigation on adjacent farmland, provided it did not compromise the health of the river.
High flows during January and February had affected access to some places, particularly the boat ramp on the south side of the State Highway 1 bridge, which the society was raising funds to reopen.
A pamphlet showing access points to the river was popular and more will be printed this year.
The river management strategy, reviewed in 2008, was reviewed last year and small changes recommended, due to changed circumstances and work priorities.
Each year, a third of the 15 member management board retires. This year the five were re-elected - Anne Te Maiharoa-Dodds, Cliff Ormandy, Ian McIlraith, Fay Willis and John Macdonald.
