Consent granted for Christchurch's stormwater network

A resource consent which aims to future-proof the Christchurch's stormwater network while also improving water quality in certain rivers has been granted by independent commissioners appointed by Environment Canterbury.

The Christchurch City Council applied for a comprehensive consent to discharge stormwater from the existing and future reticulated stormwater network within Christchurch City and the settlements of Banks Peninsula.

Stormwater, which is any water that falls on roads, paths and other hard surfaces, picks up pollution and flows untreated via drains into local waterways. If the discharge is untreated, this affects the health and water quality of local streams and rivers.

The resource consent means it will be the first time that all stormwater discharges from the reticulated stormwater networks in Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula will be managed under one resource consent, with a Stormwater Management Plan developed for each of the seven sub catchments.

The seven sub catchments are; Outer Christchurch; Pūharakekenui/Styx River; Ōtākaro/Avon River; Ihutai/Avon-Heathcote Estuary and Coastal areas; Huritīni/Halswell River; Ōpāwaho/Heathcote River; and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula.