A massive petition with over 100,000 signatures will be presented to Environment Canterbury this week in a bid to overturn consents to two water bottling companies that opponents say will take 24 million litres of water per day from sites in Belfast.
The petition, which has reportedly attracted over 113,000 signatures, is said to be one of the largest launched in New Zealand, according to its organisers.
"The number of people who have signed this petition just shows the level of public anger and concern about this issue.
"We believe ECANhas bent the rules to grant these consents. It should be protecting our water security for future generations, not putting corporate profits ahead of our community," petition organiser Genevieve Robinson, said in a statement today.
A public rally has also been organised by community group Aotearoa Water Action, to coincide with the delivery of the petition on Friday. The group has also launched a legal challenge to overturn the consents.
"We'd love the people of Christchurch to come out on Friday and support our message. With the community united behind us, and a strong legal case, we believe we can stop these plants going ahead”, says Ms Robinson.
The rally and petition handover will take place outside ECAN's offices at 200 Tuam Street, Christchurch, at 12.00pm on Friday.
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