So far, about $1 million of Christchurch ratepayer money has been promised in support of the joint Selwyn District/Christchurch City Council plan to find out if a major irrigation scheme makes sense and, if so, to facilitate its develop.

Since early 1999 the City Council has been involved and supporting the development outside its boundaries because of its potential economic and employment benefits for the region and to make sure the city’s water supplies continue to be protected.

The first jobs of the planned Central Plains Water Enhancement Trust (CPWET) will be to further refine the concept and prepare for resource consent application. Providing this work confirms the strong case already made for development to go ahead and secures farmer support, the trust will apply for permission to use the resources. If consents are granted, CPWET will own them on behalf of the people.

CPWET will be a charitable trust. Its general purposes will be to:

• Encourage, support and make possible sustainable development of water resources for the benefit of the people
• Provide and make possible opportunities for agricultural and horticultural diversity
• Ensure people learn about water issues facing the region
• Work to ensure balance between economic benefits and improving the area’s ecological, social and recreational values

The Christchurch and Selwyn councils now will each appoint two councillors to a committee which will have the job of recommending who the trustees should be.

One of the conditions set by the City Council is that the trust include a nominee from Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and two nominated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.

The City Council also decided that the trust should report back to it four times a year and, before moving to apply for resource consents, report its assessment of environmental effects.