This consultation is now closed for submissions.

Regional councils are on the frontline of implementing wide-ranging changes to freshwater management in New Zealand. These changes aim to protect and improve the health of our rivers, streams and wetlands.

In meeting our responsibilities, we are fortunate that we are building from a very strong base.

What are the issues?

There is still a long way to go before communities can be confident their freshwater is safe, healthy and able to support their wellbeing. Achieving this requires substantial investment. Over the next three years, working in partnership with the community and tangata whenua, we propose to prioritise:

  • Developing our monitoring network so we have a better understanding of the specific challenges facing different waterbodies and how we can tailor our approach
  • The development of the new Land and Freshwater Plan for the region, replacing the existing 2001 plan. This is the primary tool for delivering improved water quality for the region
  • Rolling out Freshwater Farm Plans

We have to do these things to meet our legal and statutory obligations. And while the new Government has indicated it will make changes, we know improvement is still needed. We want your views on our priorities and how we should advance them.

What are the options?

OPTION 1:
Implementing the new regime with a focus on core activities 		OPTION 2:
Enhanced implementation with additional value-add activities
Description Work alongside the community and tangata whenua to focus on the core factors needed to improve freshwater management in Taranaki. Enhanced environmental data monitoring, especially coastal and wetlands, and an innovative joint management model with tangata whenua.
Impact on costs In the first three years, this option will cost an additional $4.04m to implement.
Year 1: $955k, Year 2: $1.67m, Year 3: $1.41m
There will be ongoing costs at a similar level over the rest of the life of the LTP. 		In the first three years, this option will cost $5.17m to implement.
Year 1: $1.32m, Year 2: $2.04m, Year 3: $1.81m
There will be ongoing costs at a similar level over the rest of the life of the LTP.
Impact on debt No impact on debt. No impact on debt.
Impact on rates This issue would be funded by general rates. All expenditure would be funded by increases in general rates. This issue would be funded by general rates. All expenditure would be funded by increases in general rates.
Impact on service level Increase in the service level of the resource management and catchment management groups. Increase in the service level of the resource management and catchment management groups.