Ashburton Courier: June 18, 2020

Local news at www.starnews.co.nz Ashburton's The Courier, Thursday June 18, 2020, Page 21
Coming back
to lifeinour
water zone
The start of winter is usually atime
when we hunker down and while
there’s always work to be done, for
many farmers and outdoor types it’s
arelatively quiet season.
But after enduring an unforeseen
but necessary nationwide lockdown
over autumn, things are beginning
to pick up again for the Ashburton
Water Zone Committee.
After two months of discussions
held by email, late last month our
May meeting was held over Zoom,
with thanks to the people at the
Ashburton District Council who
helped bring us together through
technology.
It was achance for us to hear
about progress toward protecting
and enhancing the waterways which
are the lifeblood of the Ashburton
region.
Flowing through the heart of our
town is the Hakatere/ Ashburton
River, and the river’s water take
consent review process is ongoing.
Some 90 consents to take water ­
either directly or indirectly ­from
the river are affected.
We recognise that implementing
aminimum flow regime in the river
will impact some water users more
than others, and while we
empathise with their situation, we
believe it is necessary to ensure
there is areliable source of water
for the environment, community
By Bill Thomas,
Chair of Ashburton
Water Zone Committee
and consent holders. Environment
Canterbury staff continue to help
those affected work through their
options.
It was also exciting to hear aplan
for Carters Creek. This waterway
originates just upstream of
Tinwald, flowing through the town
and farmland downstream before
reaching Lake Hood.
Testing has shown that
contamination in the water of
Carters Creek is from both urban
and rural sources, so acommunity
effort to rehabilitate this waterway
is agreat opportunity for town and
country to work together.
Our action plan for Carters
Creek includes working with
landowners on stock water access
issues; continuing to identify
contamination sources; and liaising
with ADC, community groups and
individuals on enhancement
projects that meet the biodiversity
objectives.
The Government recently
announced its Action for Healthy
Waterways policy. Implications for
the Ashburton district are not clear
yet, but this topic will be discussed
at our next zone meeting.
Above: The confluence of the
north and south branches of the
Ashburton River, near Melrose
Road.
Right: Ashburton Water Zone
Committee chair Bill Thomas
The Ashburton Water Zone
Committee typically meets on the
fourth Tuesday of the month at the
Ashburton District Council
Chambers.Our next meeting is
scheduled for June 23 and ­Covid­
19 restrictions permitting ­itwill be
open to the public. We encourage
members of the public to attend.
Ashburton Golf Club 9-holers
What abeautiful morning last Thursday
was ­35players gathered, with some of
us in top form as we made our way
around the course. Val Ferrier was
unbeatable, just days after celebrating
her 80th birthday, and Don McLeod's
putting was superb.
The weeks of lockdown and
restrictions disrupted our programme.
(The revised programme is on the club's
website.) Added to this issue, rain on
June 4stopped play that day. Therefore,
last week we played three competitions
in one.
The winners of the round three
matches for Marion Marshall (Net),
Jean Drummond (Putting) and Heather
Smith (Stableford) Trophies were: Val
Ferrier women's best net, 32, and
stableford, 22. Voucher from Flowers
@the Gate by Tone'e. Gavin Johnston
Purpose. Environment.
Partnership.Innovation.
Excellence.
men's Best Net, 34 and stableford, 20.
Voucher from Accountantz.
Men's best putting, Don McLeod (11)
and Women's best putting, Chris
Anderson (13) ­both won Club
Vouchers.
Runners up, winning club vouchers,
were Helen Argyle and Colin Fleming
(net &stableford), and Peter Woods
and Allison Glossop (putting).
Gobblers: Golf balls from Smith &
Church go to Denise O'Halloran, Don
McLeod, Chris Anderson and Alli
Glossop.
Today we'll play round 4ofthe
Marion Marshall Trophy (net) and Jean
Drummond Trophy (Putting),
sponsored by Netherby Pharmacy.
Players arrive at the clubhouse to
register by 9:45am. Tee off at 10am.
Andrew Falloon
MPfor Rangitata
I’m availablethrough
my offices:
AshburtonOffice
81 Harrison Street, Ashburton
03 3087510
rangitatamp@parliament.govt.nz
Timaru Office
139Stafford Street, Timaru
03 6831386
rangitatamp@parliament.govt.nz
Youcan also contactmedirecton:
andrew.falloon@parliament.govt.nz
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