Dates and venues for a second round of consultation for the Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) Land and Water Regional Plan have been announced, including meetings in Wānaka and Lake Hāwea.

ORC and Kāi Tahu representatives will visit 19 communities between late October and early December to discuss environmental outcomes and management options with the public.

“Now more than ever, people need to tell us how they want their waterways to be managed to safeguard all of the values that need protected – not only landowners and environmental groups, but the wider public of Otago,” ORC policy and science general manager Anita Dawe said.

“The first round of consultation occurred in late 2021 and early 2022, where communities throughout Otago told ORC which river, lake and stream values were most important to them - the ability to fish and swim in clean waterways being very important.

“In round two, at community meetings all over Otago starting at the end of October, we’re seeking feedback around the options we put forward to achieve the values people have told us are important.  

Anita said the key question is: ‘what do people think we need to do to prioritise the health of our fresh waters’?

The ORC will present what is known about the health of waterways in each area; the possible action needed; and what outcome such actions may achieve for the waterbodies in the area. 

Locals are being asked what needs to be done to prioritise the health of our fresh waters.

New Zealand has been challenged to turn around water quality within a generation and deciding what action to take to achieve this is a major part of meeting this challenge, Anita said.

ORC is keen to hear from everyone who lives in and enjoys the outdoors in Otago, all age groups and all water users, she said.

“Strong public participation in this process is vital if we want to produce a plan that delivers positive water outcomes for future generations.”

“Otago water bodies are in varying states of health and in some parts of the region we need to put more effort in. Intervening now with a balanced and outcomes-focused land and water plan to manage our waterways provides the opportunity to leave the region better than we found it.” 

A new land and water plan will set boundaries and expectations, making decision-making processes easier and clearer, she said.

“For example, if we reduce the amount of sediment that enters waterways, we reduce the potential for smothering aquatic life or losing habitat for native fish species.”

Feedback from round two consultation will inform drafting of preferred options to manage land and freshwater, including limits such as minimum flows and levels and allocation limits. These will be presented to the community in 2023. 

The community meetings include two at the Lake Wānaka Centre on Tuesday November 1 (2pm and 7pm), one at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre on Monday November 7 (7pm), and one at the Tarras War Memorial Community Centre on Tuesday November 8 (7pm).

PHOTOS: Wānaka App