April 17, 2026
A proposed dairy conversion near Ashburton has sparked fears for a “pristine” spring-fed creek — but Environment Canterbury insists the existing rules are enough to protect it.
And the owners say they are committed to its protection.
Hamish and Fiona Sullivan, frequent visitors to the Greenstreet area, say they are deeply concerned about the future of Spring Creek if the property shifts from deer farming to dairy.
The new owners – Riverstone Dairies Limited - operate a dairy farm in the Greenstreet area and have filed applications to replace the existing farming land use and discharge consents to extend their current farming operation to the new property.
Before the consent applications were filed, the Sullivans raised the alarm for the impacts a conversion could have on “an extraordinarily unique and pristine waterway”.
“Dairy conversions should not be able to alter or destroy such a unique waterway, which has been cared for and valued for decades by previous farmers.”
The Sullivans wanted answers on what Environment Canterbury was doing to ensure the waterway remains protected under new ownership.
ECan councillor Ian Mackenzie said any plans the new owners have will go through the scrutiny of the regulatory process, which “will protect the environmental attributes [the Sullivan’s] are concerned about”.
“Compliance with the environmental regulations should protect the quality of that creek.”
He said its “a lovely creek, full of native fish” that was severely damaged in the 2021 floods.
“Converting to pivot irrigation won’t do any harm to the creek.
“You wouldn’t think shifting from border dykes to a more efficient water use system would be bad for the environment.”
Riverstone Dairies Limited Sam Shearer said what is being proposed is a change in irrigation method.
“ECan has indicated that it will not be renewing the existing surface water consent for border dyke irrigation in Greenstreet, and is encouraging a transition to deep bore groundwater. This change in water source necessitates a shift to spray irrigation systems such as pivots.
From an environmental perspective, this change represents an improvement rather than a risk.”
As the new property owner they are “fully committed to protecting and enhancing the environmental values of Spring Creek”.
“We recognise it as a unique and valuable feature of the property and are working closely with ECan to ensure that any proposed activities meet all regional and national environmental requirements.
“We see the creek as an important natural asset and are committed to maintaining and improving its condition as part of our ongoing farm management."
ECan consents planning manager Henry Winchester said the consent applications have been received but are currently on hold due to a request for more information.
He confirmed an ECan land management advisor had already been to the property and walked the creek with the owner.
The applications have been assigned to a consent planner, who will “first determine if the effects of the proposed activity are less than minor”.
If minor or more than minor, the consent applications must be notified and go through a hearings process, he said.
“If not, the consents team will follow the RMA process in assessing the proposed activity and mitigations included in the applications and make a decision on whether to grant consent based on these regulations.
“It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate how the proposed activity is consistent with the relevant planning framework and will be managed in such a way that it does not cause environmental harm.”
The Sullivans accepted the assurances that the regulatory oversight, monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities would protect the creek, “but will be keeping an eye out”.
The creek is within the boundary of the local Greenstreet Catchment Group, established at the end of 2024 as one of around 10 catchment groups across the district.
Facilitator Harry Millar said the role of the group is to encourage the protection and enhancement of aquatic ecosystems throughout the catchment.
The group was formed by local landowners, including Riverstone Dairies Limited, who are committed to improving environmental outcomes across the landscape, he said.
“To our knowledge, the [new] landowner is currently working through the appropriate regulatory frameworks that govern what activities can be undertaken in and within certain proximities to waterbodies.
“These frameworks sit with the relevant regulatory authorities, including ECan, and determine what activities are permitted and where consent may be required”.
Millar said the group has no regulatory or enforcement role but supports its members “to implement good management practices aimed at protecting waterways, riparian areas, and aquatic habitats”.
Greenstreet creeks
The Spring Creek in question is not the Greenstreet Creek that hit the headlines in 2024.
Landowners had warned ECan the creek needed water as it began to dry up, seeing fish, eels and freshwater crayfish die in large numbers, but weren’t allowed to divert water from O’Shea’s Creek under the minimum flow restrictions on the Ashburton/Hakatere River under the Canterbury Land and Water Plan.
After continued public outcry, ECan chief executive Stefanie Rixecker used emergency powers to allow water into Greenstreet Creek.
The spring creek discharges into the Ashburton South Branch, and the surface water body has no hydrological connection with the Greenstreet Creek.
By Jonathan Leask
A proposed dairy conversion near Ashburton has sparked fears for a “pristine” spring-fed creek — but Environment Canterbury insists the existing rules are enough to protect it.
And the owners say they are committed to its protection.
Hamish and Fiona Sullivan, frequent visitors to the Greenstreet area, say they are deeply concerned about the future of Spring Creek if the property shifts from deer farming to dairy.
The new owners – Riverstone Dairies Limited - operate a dairy farm in the Greenstreet area and have filed applications to replace the existing farming land use and discharge consents to extend their current farming operation to the new property.
Before the consent applications were filed, the Sullivans raised the alarm for the impacts a conversion could have on “an extraordinarily unique and pristine waterway”.
“Dairy conversions should not be able to alter or destroy such a unique waterway, which has been cared for and valued for decades by previous farmers.”
The Sullivans wanted answers on what Environment Canterbury was doing to ensure the waterway remains protected under new ownership.
ECan councillor Ian Mackenzie said any plans the new owners have will go through the scrutiny of the regulatory process, which “will protect the environmental attributes [the Sullivan’s] are concerned about”.
“Compliance with the environmental regulations should protect the quality of that creek.”
He said its “a lovely creek, full of native fish” that was severely damaged in the 2021 floods.
“Converting to pivot irrigation won’t do any harm to the creek.
“You wouldn’t think shifting from border dykes to a more efficient water use system would be bad for the environment.”
Riverstone Dairies Limited Sam Shearer said what is being proposed is a change in irrigation method.
“ECan has indicated that it will not be renewing the existing surface water consent for border dyke irrigation in Greenstreet, and is encouraging a transition to deep bore groundwater. This change in water source necessitates a shift to spray irrigation systems such as pivots.
From an environmental perspective, this change represents an improvement rather than a risk.”
As the new property owner they are “fully committed to protecting and enhancing the environmental values of Spring Creek”.
“We recognise it as a unique and valuable feature of the property and are working closely with ECan to ensure that any proposed activities meet all regional and national environmental requirements.
“We see the creek as an important natural asset and are committed to maintaining and improving its condition as part of our ongoing farm management."
ECan consents planning manager Henry Winchester said the consent applications have been received but are currently on hold due to a request for more information.
He confirmed an ECan land management advisor had already been to the property and walked the creek with the owner.
The applications have been assigned to a consent planner, who will “first determine if the effects of the proposed activity are less than minor”.
If minor or more than minor, the consent applications must be notified and go through a hearings process, he said.
“If not, the consents team will follow the RMA process in assessing the proposed activity and mitigations included in the applications and make a decision on whether to grant consent based on these regulations.
“It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate how the proposed activity is consistent with the relevant planning framework and will be managed in such a way that it does not cause environmental harm.”
The Sullivans accepted the assurances that the regulatory oversight, monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities would protect the creek, “but will be keeping an eye out”.
The creek is within the boundary of the local Greenstreet Catchment Group, established at the end of 2024 as one of around 10 catchment groups across the district.
Facilitator Harry Millar said the role of the group is to encourage the protection and enhancement of aquatic ecosystems throughout the catchment.
The group was formed by local landowners, including Riverstone Dairies Limited, who are committed to improving environmental outcomes across the landscape, he said.
“To our knowledge, the [new] landowner is currently working through the appropriate regulatory frameworks that govern what activities can be undertaken in and within certain proximities to waterbodies.
“These frameworks sit with the relevant regulatory authorities, including ECan, and determine what activities are permitted and where consent may be required”.
Millar said the group has no regulatory or enforcement role but supports its members “to implement good management practices aimed at protecting waterways, riparian areas, and aquatic habitats”.
Greenstreet creeks
The Spring Creek in question is not the Greenstreet Creek that hit the headlines in 2024.
Landowners had warned ECan the creek needed water as it began to dry up, seeing fish, eels and freshwater crayfish die in large numbers, but weren’t allowed to divert water from O’Shea’s Creek under the minimum flow restrictions on the Ashburton/Hakatere River under the Canterbury Land and Water Plan.
After continued public outcry, ECan chief executive Stefanie Rixecker used emergency powers to allow water into Greenstreet Creek.
The spring creek discharges into the Ashburton South Branch, and the surface water body has no hydrological connection with the Greenstreet Creek.
By Jonathan Leask
