Dear Members and Supporters,

Time flies! You have not received a Newsletter from us since February 2010. However, we have continued to work on several issues in relation to CPW and on the wider issues of water, and the Government's agenda to accelerate the pace of irrigation across Canterbury.

This week submitters received a letter from Ecan informing them that the Commissioners had finally closed the CPW Hearing on 12 May 2010. We expect a decision about the end of May 2010. Several MHPS members remain affected by the CPW revised scheme and the Notices of Requirement on their property for the headrace canal. The Society continues to work on their behalf and for those who are deeply concerned about the impact of the CPW water takes on groundwater aquifers and on the Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers should consents be granted.

On 22 April 2010, Rosalie and Liz attended a CCC meeting to present the Society's views on the CPW Trust. We also raised the latest news that Fonterra has loaned CPWL $2million and is proposing to build a milk factory at Racecourse Hill, opposite Madeleine de Jong's property. The presentation to CCC is here

We have also written several letters to Environment Minister Nick Smith requesting him to revoke the Requiring Authority status granted to CPWL. Landowners have informed us that they have also written to the Minister.

On Wednesday 26 May, the Society will present a submission to the new ECan Commissioners on the ECan Annual Plan and on Monday 31 May, MHPS and other individual members will present submissions to the proposed Waimakariri Plan Change 1 Hearing, which was earlier postponed (to be heard by Commissioners Robert Batty and Dr Mike Freeman). We'll remind you nearer the time, as you may be able to attend the Hearings in support of the Society.

If you have been reading the Press and other media, you’ll be aware of the depth of feeling and resentment growing in Canterbury over the sacking of ECan Councillors and the voting power that has been removed from all Cantabrians.  We have seen many MHPS members at the various rallies and events organised in opposition to the Government’s strategy. You can view the latest information and news on Canterbury's water/democracy issues on the following websites:

www.ourwaterourvote.org.nz
mackenzieguardians.co.nz
ecaninexile.wordpress.com

Finally we would like to thank you for your continued support. Who'd have thought the issues would take so long to resolve. Some of you have stayed with the Dam Action Group and MHPS throughout the long 9 years; your sustained support has been most appreciated.

We still need your continued support. We have recently received donations and subscriptions and many thanks for that. We remind others that subscriptions are due for the new year that began 1 April 2010. We do hope you will renew your subscriptions to the Society and help us to carry on with the work ahead. (Subs remain at $20 per individual/family) Please post subs/donations to the Secretary, Liz Weir, 20 Lower High St, RD Coalgate 7673.

Kind regards
Rosalie
Liz