A new approach to development in the Mackenzie, Omarama and Ohau basins will be launched at Twizel on Sunday after three years' work by a trust made up of groups with diverse and divergent interests.
The Mackenzie Sustainable Futures Trust has developed the ''Mackenzie Agreement'', a shared vision for resolving land use issues in the Mackenzie, Ohau and Omarama basins, which will be launched at the Twizel Events Centre.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, one of the instigators of the trust, along with then Minister for the Environment Nick Smith, said yesterday the agreement struck a good balance between and for all signatories.
''It will give a voice to the farming community in the Mackenzie - be they high country runholders, leaseholders or irrigation intensive farmers. For many years their activities have been scrutinised, criticised and controlled and, given their history in the region, it's their livelihoods,'' Mrs Dean said.
Community-based groups as diverse as irrigators, mountaineers, tourism operators, farming representatives, protection societies, Fish and Game, Forest and Bird, salmon farmers, environmentalists and others equally important would now sit down together and work through any concerns for the environment and community.
''This is something new for our country and I welcome the fact the people of the Mackenzie are stepping up to take this inaugural approach.''
Official guests attending Sunday's events include Dr Smith, Shared Vision Forum chairman Richard Thompson, chairman of the primary production select committee MP Shane Ardern and agreement signatories.
