Community Catchment Plan
The CCP is our community blueprint for the future, guiding the many individuals, community groups and businesses undertaking positive work within the Upper Clutha to safeguard our water, improve ecosystem function and reverse biodiversity loss.
What is a catchment?
A catchment is an area which collects rainfall into streams and down into the soil, eventually feeding rivers, lakes and wetlands. The Upper Clutha catchment covers a total area of 4,600 km2.
The Community Catchment Plan (CCP) is our roadmap to improve and maintain the long-term health of the wider Upper Clutha’s freshwater. It identifies risks to the health of our waterways, gaps in our understanding and 60 actions we need to take in order to mitigate the effects of human activity on our aquatic ecosystems.
Some of the actions fall within the responsibility of the Otago Regional Council and the Queenstown Lakes District Council. Others are led by WAI Wānaka in collaboration with the community. Protecting the health of our environment ensures that future generations will continue to enjoy our waterways and outdoor lifestyle as we do today.
Download the full CCP DOCUMENT or CCP SUMMARY.
Why do we need to protect freshwater?
Our waterways are no longer as pristine as they appear and face increasing pressures within five Risk Areas. The CCP objectives are grouped into two key themes, which evolved from community input and national guidance: Healthy Ecosystems and Community Wellbeing. Positive action is being effected through community collaboration, a collective vision for the future and support to enable the development of urban and rural environmental plans.
Download the CCP documents
CCP OBJECTIVES & CATEGORIES

How the CCP helps
Land Management
Urban Development
Ecosystem Action
Collaboration
Mātauranga Māori
News & Updates
- Better togetherBy working together, we empower communities to understand their water, their environment, and their impact. The first official Matariki public holiday has brought forward many beautiful… Read more
- Rural update June 2022The team are up-skilling on the chainsaws to tackle the ever increasing wilding pine issue. It’s a great time of year to be getting on… Read more
- WAI Wānaka newsWelcome to the latest WAI Wānaka newsletter! Find out what’s been happening, learn about upcoming events and how you can get involved. We are also looking… Read more
- Rural update May 2022Last week, Ash was at the top of the Cardrona Valley installing a temporary fish passage barrier with DOC to help protect our endangered native… Read more