ANZECC water quality guidelines - FAQs
6. We are a small operation that may not have the resources to undertake an expensive site-specific investigation?
Good resource and environmental management relies on having good information, and in many cases this will require some site-specific investigations being undertaken. All operations - big or small - have a responsibility to ensure they do not degrade the environment, and often this means that additional information must be collected. This is no different to what is required by most regional councils now. It is expected that the need to undertake expensive site-specific investigations would be minimal. Where more intensive studies are required, smaller authorities will be able to benefit from the findings of larger authorities working in a similar environment who have the resources to conduct these. Thus, it may not always be necessary for smaller operations to carry out such work. In any event, the undertaking of a site-specific assessment will provide a clearer understanding to all parties of what the likely impacts of any development will be.
