Protection still for wildlife

Press, 30 August 1978, Page 35

Protection still for wildlife

Wildlife in the Heathcote River was assured of protection when 25 applicaations to take water from the river were tentatively approved. The North Canterbury Catchment Board’s water committee approved applications from farmers in the Halswell-Tai Tapu area to use the water for irrigation. The decision now must be confirmed by the board. The Halswell is the only river in New Zealand which has a minimum water-flow protected by legislation, according to the committee’s chairman (Dr H. E. Connor). This protection had been granted in response to original objections to Halswell River water being used for irrigation. “It was arranged to satisfy local wildlife and recreation interests that irrigation would not draw it down to the extent that there would be no water in it,” he said. Mr M. J. Bowden, the regional water engineer, told the committee that the amount of water to be allo-

cated under the applications' was only half that of 1971/ although the average flow j rate was about the same. In addition, the channel had been prepared to ensure that an adequate depth was maintained. “Compared with 1971, we seem to be in a far better position in terms of maintaining minimum flow,’’ he said. Dr Connor said that a roster existed so water could be rationed if the level fell unduly. The roster had never been tested, and its use had been threatened only once —in 1971. “It will still be a low-flow channel to take this volume of water and allow fishing to be maintained,” he said. Accordingly, the committee approved the 25 applications for amounts of water varying between 45 cu m and 23,846 cu m a day. Approval was given subject to a flow of between 230 and 280 litres a second being maintained at various measuring points along the river’s length.