Otago Regional Council (ORC) has released its response to the minister for the environment, following concerns she raised about the impact of its Land and Water Plan.

Minister Penny Simmonds wrote to ORC last month, asking the council to supply information on the impact of the plan on various industries, citing concern about the potential for high costs.

“My colleagues and I have all heard concerns from a range of Otago ratepayers that there will be an astronomical cost associated with the achievement of Te Mana o te Wai through your soon to be notified Land and Regional Water Plan (LWRP),” the Minister wrote to ORC chair Gretchen Robertson.

Read more: ‘Astronomical cost’ - concerns raised about Land & Water Plan

The plan sets policies around the use, development and protection of Otago’s freshwater resources, including the beds and margins of waterbodies. Te Mana o te Wai, part of the National Policy Statement for Fresh Water, asks authorities to consider the health of freshwater ecosystems before allowing any proposed development. 

Gretchen Robertson released a copy of ORC’s response to the minister late last week, and ORC also met with the minister on Thursday (September 12) in Wellington.

The council said ratepayers raised concerns about costs (particularly to the farming community), and in response ORC “sought to reduce costs but still hold to the commitment to maintain water quality and quantity”.

ORC said the updated plan “is less costly, more workable and is pragmatic in allowing time to make change”, citing a range of changes which were recommended in response to concerns. 

“The Te Mana o te Wai hierarchy of obligations introduced in 2020 has never been interpreted by Otago Regional Council or other regional councils as protecting the environment at all costs, rather they are used as a tool to ensure that the appropriate balance between activities and the environment is considered,” ORC said.

“Councils see water quality improvements as a long-term journey that must be based on what communities can realistically achieve over time without undue hardship or disruption.”

ORC also said the plan was “the first step” in moving the region towards stopping further degradation of waterways.

“Because we do not intend to fully implement visions in this plan, costs are reasonable and in line with pragmatism and that which arises from the RMA itself. More significant changes such as increased minimum flows are staged to enable further discussion and planning to take place.”

Gretchen said ORC had committed to providing further information to the minister.

PHOTO: Wānaka App