1. Introduction
This Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan has been prepared by the Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Board in accordance with the requirements of the Resource Management (Waitaki Catchment) Amendment Act 2004.
The Plan provides for the allocation of water in the Waitaki catchment on a basis that is consistent with the purpose and principles of the Resource Management Act 1991. Annex 1 of the Plan includes the reasons for adopting the provisions of the Plan and a list of the reports that the Board has considered. Annex 1 also includes the decisions in relation to the Plan. The legal context for the Plan is described in the following section of the Plan.
The Waitaki catchment is shown on Map 1. It is located largely within the Canterbury Region, with a small portion at its southern end lying within the Otago Region. It includes portions of the Mackenzie, Waitaki and Waimate Districts.
The Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan is the regional plan for the allocation of water in that part of the catchment that is within the Canterbury Region. The Resource Management (Waitaki Catchment) Amendment Act 2004 also provides that the Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Board may change the Otago Regional Council's Regional Plan: Water (Otago Regional Water Plan) as it relates to the Waitaki catchment, as necessary, to ensure that the Otago Regional Water Plan gives effect to the Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan. The Plan includes changes to the Otago Regional Water Plan.
The further evaluation that the Board has made before making decisions in relation to the Plan is summarised in the document Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan, Section 32 Report.
The Plan incorporates some material by reference. A copy of this material is contained in the document Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan, Material incorporated by reference.
