Otago Regional Council (ORC) has defended its decision to publicly notify its draft Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) in the wake of criticism from Federated Farmers Otago.

Councillors voted 7-5 to move forward to the next step with the plan (which is designed to protect Otago’s lakes and rivers) at a meeting on March 27, which Federated Farmers environment spokesman Colin Hurst said was “a poor decision”.

"The last thing farmers struggling through high interest rates, low payouts and drought conditions want to be waking up to is news that more red tape is likely on the way later this year,” he said.

Colin said the government was reviewing national freshwater direction and it had relaxed its timeframes, meaning the LWRP could be a “big waste of ratepayer money” and he asked “why on earth would ORC or other councils choose to push on?”

ORC chair Gretchen Robertson told the Wānaka App the council had no legal basis to delay the LWRP.

“The government has not directed councils to stop their programme of works towards new Freshwater Plans which include the LWRP,” she said. “The 2027 date for all councils to notify a new plan remains in place.” 

“Creating a plan is a very long process, ORC has been working on this plan for five years already. All councils are currently working on their plans to meet the 2027 date.”

She said any review of national freshwater direction would be a lengthy process and did not mean the ORC would stop work on the LWRP.

“While key ministers recommended ORC wait for further direction, they also said [the] government intends to use robust democratic processes to change the current National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPSFM). This will take time.”

“Councils have been dealing with constant policy change and must navigate this while undertaking its role responsibly.”

The LWRP is an important plan for Otago’s future, Gretchen said.

“Otago’s competitive advantage is its outstanding freshwater environments,” she said. “Our job is to ensure we can thrive here in outstanding Otago and not live to regret our decisions.”

At last week’s council meeting, ORC councillors agreed to notify the LWRP before October 31 this year.

Staff will report back to council at its May 22 meeting with an updated programme of works.

PHOTO: Wānaka App