The Christchurch Waterways Story

Watts, Robert H.

Today, the adverse impact that cities have on surface water is a worldwide issue.

No doubt you, like me, have been moved to ask: Why is it not possible to develop settlements in a way that protects our natural water environment? Whether you said it quietly to yourself or loudly to someone else, you think it should be possible, prompting a further question: How does one go about achieving it?

My opportunity to make a start came twenty years ago when I was appointed Planning Manager in the Drainage and Waste Management Unit of the then new Christchurch City Council.

Since then the management philosophy of surface water in Christchurch has changed from a single-focus, land drainage approach to one that responds to all its values. These values are identified as: ecology, landscape, recreation, heritage, culture and drainage. This change involved people with vision and energy who were able to translate into physical reality our society’s desire for quality of life and quality of the environment.

Relating the story of how the change occurred is intended to encourage others to make the most of their local surface water environment. It tells how progress was made, who was involved, and what organisational changes and relationships were established.

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Product information

Author: Watts, Robert H.
ISBN: 978-0-47-834712-8
Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press
Publication date: 2011