2016: Exploring key issues in the catchment

In 2016 the Ruamāhanga Whaitua Committee asked for ideas for solutions to key land and water management issues in the catchment. Questions asked were:

• What's the fairest way of restricting water use during the summer?
• What do we need to make our rivers swimmable and how long should it take to get there?
• How should we manage rivers to improve natural character while safeguarding communities assets, incomes and households?

Nine public meetings were held, a brochure was sent to every household in the catchment, and an online forum was available to provide feedback. 

The notes from each of the community meetings and the brochure postal responses are available below: 

Brochure postal responses received - up to October 2016 

Community conversations at WBS Room, Greytown library - 16 August 2016 

Community conversation at Lion's Club, Martinborough - 11 August 2016 

Community conversation at Senior Citizens Hall, Masterton - 9 August 2016 

Community conversation at Carterton Events Centre - 4 August 2016 

Community conversation at Kiwi Hall, Feathston - 2 August 2016 

Community conversation at Gladstone Sports Complex - 28 July 2016 

Community conversation at Whangaehu Hall - 26 August 2016 

Community conversation at Kopauranga Hall - 7 July 2016

Community conversation at Pirinoa Hall - 5 July 2016

The communities ideas for solutions fed into the Committee's design of scenarios (potential futures to test through scientific models) and were used to inform recommendations in the Whaitua Implementation Programme (WIP).