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Melissa
Renganathan, Senior Policy Analyst, and Veronica Zeffarino, Manager
Infrastructure Planning, Three Waters joined the table to present Item 2
(refer to the presentation included in the agenda), and to answer elected
member questions.
Key presentation points:
·
The Local Leadership
Groups (LLGs) were endorsed by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum as a replacement
to the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) Water Zone Committees,
which were discharged in June 2025.
·
Since the local body elections in 2025, Environment
Canterbury (ECan) has been working with Papatipu Rūnanga and Territorial
Authorities to progress commitment towards establishing the LLGs via initial
hui.
·
The Council is potentially a member of three proposed
LLGs. Boundaries and membership of LLGs have yet to be confirmed. The
Whiria/Treaty Relationships Team advises that any decisions on
takiwā boundary arrangements must take into consideration our Te Hononga
agreement with Papatipu Rūnanga. A Council
decision would also be required if it decides to become a member.
·
The proposed LLGs are also likely to be a
duplication of existing partnerships and could dilute resources required for
the existing formal arrangements and/or partnerships the Council has with
Papatipu Rūnanga, ECan and other councils.
·
The groups would sit outside of the
Council’s legislative obligations and would have no decision-making
authority.
·
Hui have been organised for one of the LLGs
the Council is proposed to be a member of (Whakaraupō – Te
Pātaka); neither Ngāi Tuahuriri representatives nor the
Christchurch Mayor were in attendance at the hui held in December, though
Council staff attended as observers. Challenges of resourcing and
capacity for members was acknowledged.
·
Uncertainty remains regarding the boundaries,
purpose of the groups and whether there is a gap the proposed model would
fill. Consideration should also be given to the implications of
Government reforms and the substantial, resource-intensive change across the
Council’s Three Waters work programmes.
Key discussion points:
·
Neither Christchurch City Council nor Waimakariri District
Council mayors were at the Canterbury Mayoral Forum meeting that endorsed the
Local Leadership Groups.
·
The boundaries discussed are water catchment zones.
·
Whether government and Crown entities, such as the Department
of Conservation, or farming groups were likely to be part of the LLGs.
·
The success of the Community Waterways
Partnership and the importance of community involvement in it.
·
The financial model ECan is proposing and whether Christchurch
City Council would lose a share of funding if it chooses not to join a LLG.
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