Transcript Evidence of J Demeter

Kakapo Brook Resource Consent
Hearing 13 October, 2015
Protect and enhance braided river ecosystems
Promote cooperation between stakeholders
Initial focus on the native birds that breed on
Canterbury’s braided rivers
Conway River
-downstream from Inland Road Bridge
- Single small channel, easily crossed in the Spring
? Similar to Kakapo
Banded
Dotterel
nest
BlackFronted
Tern
Nest
Banded
Dotterel on
the nest
Black-Fronted Tern tarapiroe
Threatened with extinction - Nationally Endangered
= Acutely threatened, 2 steps away from extinction, in serious
decline
Nests on open gravels
Feeds on small fish, some inverts
Banded Dotterel tutwhatu
Threatened – nationally vulnerable to extinction
Feeds on invertebrates in the wetted margins - flow variability
important
Often breed and feed on the on turf
vegetation away from the channels
South Island Pied Oystercatcher
torea
• At risk of extinction – declining
• Feeds on and off river
• Nests on and off river
Reduced Flows?
• Algal risk
• Possible reduced in-stream food production
(68% Invertebrates, 90% Fish per Jellyman)
• Possible reduced flow variability resulting in
less wetted margin for food production
Canterbury RPS Significance
• Per Sanders evidence :
“a. It supports four indigenous bird species that are
threatened, at risk, or uncommon, nationally or within
the relevant ecological district (Criterion 4);
b. It contains an association of indigenous species,
namely the various river and wetland birds just
mentioned, that occurs within an originally rare
ecosystem, that is, a braided river (Criterion 6). “
• “More bird surveys would add confidence about the
number and location of birds potentially affected”
Summary
• RMA Section 6: protection of
a) natural character,
c)significant habitats of indigenous fauna
• CRPS Significance - meets 2 of the criteria
• Surveys usually done October or November, possible underestimation
• Open flat habitat suitable for river-birds
• Reasonable numbers per hectare – all are ‘significant’
• Flat-lining affects food production in important breeding season
(Sept – Jan):
- variability of the wetted margin is lost,
- possible decreased invertebrate production,
- possible small decrease in fish,
- further stress on ‘at risk’ populations of river-birds