Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and Canterbury Regional Council have applied to renew the resource consent for the artificial opening and closing of the lake to the sea. The consent applications are also for the purpose of aiding fish migration and protecting and enhancing mahinga kai and related investigations consistent with the National Water Conservation (Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere) Order 1990.

Applications have been made to Christchurch City Council and Selwyn District Council for land use consents to undertake the earthworks required, and to Canterbury Regional Council for consents to disturb the foreshore/seabed, discharge water, contaminants and sediment to the ocean, to use land to carry out earthworks, to dam water, and to use land temporarily to store fuel at the opening site.

Submissions may be made until 5pm on October 29th, 2013.

Copies of the application can be viewed at the respective council offices. Details, and information about how to make a submission, will also be available on the respective council websites:

Environment Canterbury Public Notices

Selwyn District Council – Notified Resource Consents

Christchurch City Council – consultation page

The full consent application and supporting information can be viewed here.