Let's Talk About Stockwater Races

Thanks for checking in. This consultation has now closed.

We will update this page following the Council meeting on 2 November.

The Stockwater Race Bylaw 2019 is under review. We've drafted some changes and want to hear your thoughts.

About the District's Stockwater Races

The stockwater race network is approximately 830km in length, running across an area of over 42,000 hectares throughout the Waimakariri District.

The network provides water for tock to 1,629 rated properties. Every property with access to stockwater pays an annual rate to the Council to cover management of the network.

About the Stockwater Race Bylaw 2019

The bylaw details the rules to protect the water race network, therefore it’s an important tool to help the Council and its contractor make decisions while maintaining the supply of stockwater to users of the scheme.

On adoption of the Stockwater Race Bylaw 2019, the Council committed to undertaking a further review within the following two years giving opportunity for users to have a say.

This review considers the following broad topics, with some possible amendments proposed as a result:

Works in private property
Road reserve race maintenance
Managed aquifer recharge
Environmental benefits
Ponds
Fencing of water races
Biosecurity and contamination risks.

The Stockwater Race Bylaw 2019 requires landowners to maintain any portion of stockwater race on or adjacent to their property boundary if it is within the road reserve. The 2021 review does not propose any changes to this responsibility, Council would like to know whether the Community agrees with this approach.

Tell us what you think

We welcome your feedback on the draft bylaw to make sure we’re on the right track before it gets finalised. Let us know your thoughts before Tuesday 7 September 2021.

You can also have an opportunity to make an oral submission to the Hearings Panel in late September (final date yet to be confirmed). Let us know by indicating on the below survey.

Next steps

After collecting feedback, Council staff will report to the Council on 02 November 2021. The bylaw may be revised to incorporate community feedback before being finalised with Council.

Once that’s done, the final copy of the Stockwater Race Bylaw will be made available on the Council’s website.