30/06/2006
- A group of experts who will advise the government
on improvements to freshwater management in New
Zealand has been named today by Agriculture Minister
Jim Anderton and Environment Minister David Benson-Pope.
The Group will underpin the
successful delivery of the Government's Sustainable
Water Programme of Action, which aims to improve
both water quality and provide for growing demands
for water.
The twelve members of the group
are leaders in their fields relevant to water,
and represent a cross-section of New Zealand sectors
and regions. The group will hold its first meeting
next month.
“The Group will provide leadership
and expertise in water management, as well as
access to broad local government, industry, Maori,
environmental and community networks. Members
will advise on water quality and water allocation
issues and will suggest methods to address those
issues,” Mr Benson-Pope said.
"The government has signalled
that it wants to take a greater leadership role
in freshwater management and will do this by working
closely with groups with a significant interest."
Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton
says the members will work to identify opportunities
and risks to New Zealand’s economic transformation
because of the way water is currently managed.
"By developing a strategic
and nationally consistent approach to managing
our valuable freshwater resources we will ensure
that economic growth occurs in a sustainable way,
with our environment protected," said Mr
Anderton.
The advisory group will, among
other tasks:
prioritise freshwater issues
and solutions
examine the need for, and content
of, national ways to manage water, including national
policy statements and environmental standards
encourage engagement from sectors and groups with
an interest in water.
Hon David Benson-Pope
