Group to rescue river

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 228, 26 January 1988, Page 1

Group to rescue river

The Wanganui River Flows Coalition is to mount a nationwide campaign to "Save the Wanganui River". This decision was made on 16 December last year by the Coalition Executive after considering a number of factors. The Coalition's initial objective to delay the sale of the Wanganui River "water right" to Electricorp was met when the Government introduced the Treaty of Waitangi-State Owned Enterprises Bill to Parliament. Under the Bill, current Crown "water rights in perpetuity" will not automatically be sold or transferred to Electricorp. With this major hurdle passed, the Coalition say they will now force the

pace and mount a national campaign to restore one of Ncw Zealand's most famous rivers to a healthy and normal state. Another factor is the listing of the Wanganui in a priority category among New Zealand rivers as a river of national importance because of its immense cultural and historic values and outstanding scenic, recreation and ecological values. Also, diversion of ovcr 90% of the headwatcrs of the Wanganui to the Tongariro Power Schcme has according to the coalition severely altered the natural rhythms of the river to such a degree that the upper reaches, (which used to Continued on P2.

Group to rescue river

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be one of New Zealand's finest trout fisheries), is covered for many miles with an unhealthy evil slimy algac. Overall management of the Wanganui River which rises is the Tongariro National Park and flows through a Forest Park, should reflcct its status as the main fcature of the ncwly created Whanganui National Park, says the Coalition. Thcy believe the present situation where the Whanganui National Park is managed for maximum protection whilst the river is managed for maximum exploitation is unsatisfac-

tory and makes a mockery of National Park principlcs. Campaign objective There will be just one objective of the campaign:- To persuade the Government that Electricorp should apply through the appropriate channels for a Water Right to use the hcadwaters of the Wanganui River for hydro-gen-eration. Authority to use the water was obtained in 1958 when the Government signed an all-powerful Order in Council. This was validated rctrospectively in 1976 was a "water right" under the Water & Soil Conser-

vation Act 1967. In contrast to other major water rights which have a life of usually 21 years and somctimes hundreds of conditions and restrictions following extensive public submissions and consultations, the "right" to use the Wanganui have no restrictions or conditions - other than one with the Taumarunui Borough Council, an informal agrcement with the Department of Conscrvation on water temperatures and the "Minimum Flow Regime". There has been no public consultation and the water right has no time limit say Coalition members.