Purpose
1. This paper outlines a staged package of actions under the Sustainable Water Programme of Action (the Programme) aimed at improving the management of New Zealand's freshwater resources. The proposed actions, which have been approved by Cabinet, build on an extensive public consultation process undertaken in early 2005, and a subsequent analysis of concerns about the current water management framework. They also reflect recent changes to the Resource Management Act 1991.
2. The actions presented here are designed to achieve the following outcomes agreed by Cabinet (April 2006) for freshwater in New Zealand:
- improve the quality and efficient use of freshwater by building and enhancing partnerships with local government, industry, Māori, science agencies and providers, and rural and urban communities
- improve the management of the undesirable effects of land use on water quality through increased national direction and partnerships with communities and resource users
- provide for increasing demands on water resources and encourage efficient water management through increased national direction, working with local government on options for supporting and enhancing local decision making, and developing best practice.
3. The actions are focused on strengthening regional management of freshwater and providing adaptable solutions and tools that councils and communities may apply to different regional circumstances. Proposals will be developed over time, in consultation with local government, industry sector groups, Māori, science agencies and providers, and communities.
4. Ministers and officials will be engaging with key stakeholders over the next few months on how to best achieve these outcomes, and will then initiate the actions to achieve the outcomes. The Ministers of the Environment and of Agriculture will establish a leadership group comprising local government representatives and key stakeholders. This group will assist in progressing the package of actions outlined in this paper.
5. This paper provides:
- information on the actions proposed in the Cabinet paper
- initial ideas on content and approaches as a starting point for discussion.
6. Appendix 1 of this document lists all the proposed actions and the dates they will be reported on to Cabinet.
