Council will submit on freshwater

Gisborne District Council will put forward a submission to national freshwater reforms before submissions close on 22 April 2016.

The Government’s Next Steps for Fresh Water: Consultation Document was recently released for public feedback.

“The document sets out a number of high level proposals for managing fresh water, changes to legislation or national policy is likely to follow,” says strategic policy manager David Wilson.

Council notified the Gisborne Regional Freshwater Plan in October last year and has received submissions on the plan. Hearings are likely to be held mid-2016.

“The Government’s proposals for reform could have a potential impact on parts of our Plan,” says Mr Wilson.

Council’s submission would focus on proposals around the interpretation of maintaining water quality, national stock exclusion standards and the transfer of water allocation and discharge allowances.

Mr Wilson says Council supports most of the proposals in principle but there are some that we require more clarity around when and how rules would be practically applied to our region’s land, and characteristics of our waterways.

“We’re also requesting clearer information on how changes would impact on resourcing and costs for Council.”

“As a regional council, it’s important for us to make a submission on any significant changes to how freshwater management would be impacted in our region.

“It’s beneficial we keep a foot in the door on national policy and regulation.”

Council’s submission can be found on our website.

ENDS

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