Wanganui River coalition disbands

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 240, 19 April 1988, Page 3

Wanganui River coalition disbands

The Wanganui River Flows Coalition held its last meeting on Saturday at Owhango. High on the agenda was a review of the coalition's stated objectives, and the current situation. Following is a press statement released yesterday by the chairman of the coalition, Mr K.R. Chapple. In October 1987 the coalition was confronted with a Government proposal to sell water rights - as part of asset saies to Electricorp - from public ownership to private companies. The coalition considered public accountability would be difficult and Electricorp would have become de-facto owners of public waterways. The coalition felt restoring the Wanganui River to a normal and healthy state would be well-nigh impossible if Electricorp were sold the water right "as is". The coalition was also concemed that the rush to corporatise everything wold place under severe threat social factors, Maori values, recreation and tourism potential, preservation of the ecological integrity of the river, public access, and the ability to hamess regional resources. The management philosophy of the Whanganui National park was severely compromised while massive diversion of the headwaters of the Wanganui River continued. The Rangitikei-Wanganui Catchment Board had resolved to review the minimum flow regime in May 1988, but gave no assurances the host of other factors would be considered.

To counter this series of threats to a river highly, valued by the Wanganui and King Country regions, the Coalition consistently stated that: •Water rights should not be sold' in advance of full public consultation. •The matter of distribution of the Wanganui headwaters should be decided at a forum capable of examining the total issue and bringing down binding recommendations. •The appropriate forum should be a forrrial water right hearing. In adopting this policy, the coalition reasoned the evidence of the rivers' decline would speak for itself and solutions present themselves, provided the matter was dealt with in a rational environment without prejudice. In reviewing the objectives of the Coalition, the meeting noted: •Crown water rights no longer apply. •Respective catchment boards will deal with former Crown rights as if they had issued them •Electricorp are currently leasing water rights. •By virtue of changed circumstances the RWCB review of minimum flows has become a de-factor water right hearing. •Electricorp's dramatic announcement of March 25 that it would apply for a water right to take and use the headwaters of the Wanganui River. It was with satisfaction the meeting noted these factors met the stated objectives of the coalition in full; and with its mission completed, the coalition voted to disband. However, the meeting acknowledged the issue was not at an end, rather than an end of Phase Two. Phase One was the recognition and definition of the problems and formulating a coherent strategy to deal with them. Phase Three covers the RWCB hearing itself, the presentation of evidence and the recommendations. Here, it was considered that coalition mem-ber-groups and other interested parties will be better placed to present detailed information than the coalition itself. Given the reported 2,000 submissions, the coalition agreed most subjects would be comprehensively covered. However, it was agreed that vigilance was required, and a small watchdog committee has been set up to monitor what is happening and present evidence to the hearing. In achieving its resounding success, the coalition gratefully acknowledged public support from virtually all sectors, and comprehensive media coverage.