By GORMAN, Paul Polluting farmers should be jailed, says Environment Minister Trevor Mallard. He told the Water and Wastes Association conference in Christchurch this week that he supported tougher sentences and even jail for serious water polluters.

By GORMAN, Paul The first steps have been taken towards introducing a fuel tax or road tolls to fill a $145 million funding gap for major Canterbury transport schemes.

By BRISTOW, Robyn A small hydro scheme on the Rakaia River would boost Canterbury's ability to meet growing power demand in the farming industry, says an Auckland-based economist.

By GORMAN, Paul PUBLIC BRIEFINGS * Tomorrow, 5.30pm-7pm, Rolleston Community Centre. * September 1, 2.30pm-4pm, Our City, corner of Worcester Boulevard and Oxford Terrace. * September 1, 6pm-7.30pm, Riverside Church Hall, Kaiapoi. * September 2, 6pm-7.30pm, Woodend Community Hall.

WATER BATTLE SITES Central Plains Water scheme: involves taking water from the Rakaia and Waimakariri rivers and storing it in a reservoir in the dammed Waianiwaniwa Valley. The water will be used to irrigate 60,000ha bounded by the rivers, SH1 and the Malvern foothills.