Clutha/Mata-au

We’re developing a change to the Water Plan to set environmental flows/levels and allocation limits to manage the amount of water in the Clutha River/Mata-au, its lakes and its two main upper catchment tributaries.

We are developing a plan change to Otago’s Regional Plan Water (Water Plan) to manage the amount of water in the Clutha River/Mata-au, its lakes and its two main upper catchment tributaries, the Kawarau and Hawea Rivers. This includes setting minimum flows and allocation limits for the Clutha River/Mata-au, Kawarau and Hawea Rivers and levels and allocation limits for Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan and Roxburgh.

Otago Regional Council (ORC) is required by Government, through the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management 2017 (NPSFM), to set environmental flows and/or levels for all freshwater management units (FMU) in its region (except ponds and naturally ephemeral water bodies). These must include minimum flows and allocation limits for rivers and streams and minimum water levels and allocation limits for other FMUs.  Minimum flows/levels and allocation limits are set in Schedule 2 of the Water Plan. 

Schedule 2 of the Water Plan

The changes we make to the Water Plan will be informed by the NPSFM, by environmental, economic, cultural, social, and planning assessments, and with input from the community and people affected by any potential changes. 

Before we notify the proposed plan change to the Water Plan, we are holding a series of three community consultation sessions over the coming months to develop the plan change.  The feedback we receive from the community will help us to develop the plan change.

In December 2017 we started the first of three stages of public consultation which help shape the development of the plan change for Clutha River/Mata-au, its lakes and its two main upper catchment tributaries, the Kawarau and Hawea Rivers. We asked people to identify what they value about these water bodies and what was important to them. A summary of the feedback received at the consultation sessions and during the feedback period is provided below.

Summary of Feedback - Consultation December 2017 to February 2018

If you want to learn more about what people think is important about the Clutha River/Mata-Au, the large lakes that feed it and its tributaries you can also view our online interactive map below. The interactive map allows you to view recorded feedback on recreation, use, natural and environmental values, community and cultural locations, and issues and concerns.
This interactive mapping tool also contains various 'layers' with information about the catchment, including Land Use Capability, Land Cover, Walking and Biking Tracks, Conservation Areas and Fish Values.

Online interactive map tool

Consultation materials that were used and presented during the first stage of consultation are shown below.

Consultation Presentation

Frequently asked questions

Catchment map

Catchment topo map

Fish values map

Consent locations map

Farm type map

Reserves and tracks map

Land use map

Principal land cover map

Feedback has now closed.