Photo: Shelley ToppThe Government's new water quality and environment proposals are long overdue, despite being criticised by some farmers, a prominent Waikari water activist says. ''It has been a long time coming, says Sam Mahon, author of The Water Thieves. He wants to see the Government's proposals go further, with restrictions placed on water consents that have resulted in bad outcomes. In New Zealand, the Government's National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM) and the National Environmental Standards (NES) proposals were announced on September 5. Irrigation plans in the Hurunui have divided the community since the now defunct Hurunui Water Project was first mooted.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 02, 2019 00:33 UTC