By Rose Marshall, Planner, Baseline Group | Mar 06, 2025
In the Selwyn District, many properties are crossed by streams or rivers, whether natural or man-made. For landowners, having a waterbody on your property is both a privilege and a responsibility. It’s essential to be aware of the rules that govern how you can interact with these water features, especially when planning development or making changes. Misunderstanding or overlooking these regulations can result in costly fines or even legal action, so understanding the classification of your waterbody is the first crucial step to avoid these issues and ensure you are compliant.
Waterbodies and water races are defined by Environment Canterbury as anything from stock water and irrigation channels to rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, wetlands, and aquifers. These watercourses are generally divided into two main categories: artificial watercourses and natural waterbodies.
Artificial Watercourses
Man-made channels, such as those used for irrigation or drainage, fall under the artificial watercourse category. These are typically governed by local bylaws specific to the Selwyn District. If you're planning any changes, like altering water flow, or carrying out maintenance, you’ll need to make sure your actions comply with local standards or apply for approval under the Water Race Bylaw 2008.
This bylaw includes rules about taking, using, damming, or diverting water, as well as outlining the obligations of owners to protect the functionality of water races and surrounding areas. Keep in mind that approval under this bylaw doesn’t automatically exempt you from needing approval under the district or regional plans, if required.
Natural Waterbodies
Streams, rivers, and other natural waterbodies enjoy a higher level of environmental protection and are subject to more stringent regulations. Several governing bodies, including the Selwyn District Council, Environment Canterbury, and the Central Government (through the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater), all impose relevant considerations for activities in or around natural waterbodies. Any resource consent application will also need approval from Te Taumutu Rūnanga due to water being a culturally significant resource.
It can be a complex process trying to understand whether you comply with the requirements under these governing bodies, but undertaking work without this consideration can land you in hot water with enforcement action. If in doubt, it's always best to check your obligations before proceeding with any changes.
Even if a waterbody on your property appears man-made, it may have originally been a natural feature that was later modified. In such cases, regulations for natural waterbodies may still apply and a process known as “naturalisation” may be required as part of your project.
Navigating the regulations for water races and natural water bodies can be challenging, especially when multiple planning documents are involved. Understanding whether your waterbody is defined as a man-made water race, or a natural waterway is crucial in determining which regulations apply. A planning consultant can assist landowners in identifying the waterbody type, understanding which rules are relevant, and guiding them through the resource consent process if necessary
Articles you might be interested in
- Granny Flats to Be Allowed, Without Consent: What Homeowners Need to Know
- Adapting to a Depreciating New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Understanding Land Covenants: What You Need to Know
- Is planning the cause of red tape for land development?
- Navigating Prior Engineering Acceptance for Urban Developments in Selwyn
- Tiny Homes and Granny Flats
- Understanding Zoning and Density Rules in Selwyn
- Back to Basics for the RMA Reforms
- A New Dawn for Granny Flats and Accessory Dwellings