River Gravel Management Strategy review 2025
Update: April 2025
Feedback on the proposed revision of our Gravel Management Strategy has now closed.
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.
You can read the revised strategy (PDF file 7.4MB).
The Gravel Management Strategy sits under the Braided River Revival Whakahaumanu Ngā Awa ā Pākihi 100-Year Strategy, which identifies an overarching set of outcomes that Environment Canterbury seeks to achieve through its work and decision making in rivers.
The draft Braided River Revival Whakahaumanu Ngā Awa ā Pākihi 100-Year Strategy was presented to the Strategy and Policy Committee on 5 March 2025 and can be accessed through the agenda for that meeting.
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
