River Gravel Management Strategy review 2025
Update: March 2025
The deadline to provide feedback on the revised Gravel Management Strategy has been extended until 5pm 14 April 2025
We are reviewing how we manage gravel extraction from rivers across Waitaha/Canterbury. Over the last three years, we have sought input on river-based gravel extraction from Rūnanga partners, industry representatives, stakeholders and others with an interest in this topic.
We have now revised our Gravel Management Strategy based on this feedback and want to know what you think of the proposed changes.
Please read the revised strategy (PDF file 7.4MB) and fill out the form to tell us what you think.
The Gravel Management Strategy refers to the Braided River Revival Whakahaumanu Ngā Awa ā Pākihi 100-Year Strategy, which was presented to the Strategy and Policy meeting on 5 March 2025. A draft version of that strategy can be accessed through the agenda for that meeting which can be found here or downloaded on the right-hand side of this page.
Drivers for change in gravel management
A lot has changed since we first devised our Canterbury River Gravel Management Strategy (2012). We’ve reviewed the strategy to ensure it is effective and fit-for-purpose.
We want to make sure river-based gravel management in Waitaha remains sustainable, considers the needs of the river, protects community safety and wellbeing, and enables sustainable economic development without compromising cultural, social and environmental values.
How feedback has shaped the proposed strategy
Over the last three years, we considered some key themes, including a faster and simpler gravel extraction permissions process; fit for purpose gravel extraction volume and duration limits; protecting the needs of the river and mana whenua values; supporting flood resilient rivers; and where to focus research and environmental assessments.
In response to this feedback the revised Gravel Management Strategy has:
set specific outcomes for river-based gravel extraction
carried over the mixed permission model and further defined the decision-making criteria for permission to extract gravel
continues to favour limited extraction volumes, short-term gravel takes and extraction in areas where gravel build up creates a flood or erosion risk or impacts community infrastructure.
developed a framework that supports river health and mana whenua values
set actions to recognise and deliver on the multiple values of rivers
set focus areas for research and environmental assessments.
If you would like to make a submission via email, this can be sent to gravel@ecan.govt.nz
