LGNZ applauds Government’s fresh water proposals

10 July 2013

Local Government New Zealand says the first stage of an action plan to improve fresh water quality announced today by the Government is good news.

LGNZ Regional Sector Chair, Fran Wilde, said councils were very positive about the provision for communities to be involved in developing plans.

“This is already an approach being utilised by some councils, so having it formally embedded in the planning process is a very helpful initiative. We assume that the legislation will be flexible enough to accommodate existing collaborative practices.

“The Government has clearly listened to the outcomes of the Land and Water Forum, which strongly recommended a collaborative approach, and is also working closely with regional councils as the technical detail is developed.

“We applaud this constructive approach and hope that the collaborative process will be formally enabled, not just for fresh water, but for the totality of land and water management, which we know from experience cannot be separated.

“The National Objectives Framework is a key tool and getting it right is imperative. Regional councils will welcome formal consultation on the details of the regulations that will be developed following the passing of the legislation. Councils are already in the position of having to implement the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management and it is important that the changes are aligned with and support this work programme.”

ENDS

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