2. Objectives
2.1 Introduction
This chapter summarises the Board's evaluation of the five objectives of the Plan. Based on this evaluation, the Board's overall judgement of the extent to which each objective is the most appropriate way to achieve the purpose of the RMA is recorded.
When considering the purpose of the RMA, the Board recognises this is informed by the matters found in sections 6, 7 and 8 of the RMA.
2.2 Objective 1
Objective 1 is as follows:
To sustain the qualities of the environment of the Waitaki River and associated beds, banks, margins, tributaries, islands, lakes, wetlands and aquifers by:
a. recognising the importance of maintaining the integrity of the mauri in meeting the specific spiritual and cultural needs of the tāngata whenua, and by recognising the interconnected nature of the river
b. safeguarding the life supporting capacity of the river and its ecosystems
c. managing the water bodies in a way that maintains natural landscape and amenity characteristics and qualities that people appreciate and enjoy
d. safeguarding the integrity, form, functioning and resilience of the braided river system
e. providing for individuals' reasonable domestic water needs
f. providing for individuals' reasonable needs for their animals' drinking-water
g. providing for fire-fighting water needs.
The summary of the evaluation of Objective 1 is set out in Table 1, below.
Table 1: Evaluation of Objective 1
| Purpose of the RMA | Evaluation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Controlling |
s5(2)(a) |
The objective directly recognises the need to sustain the potential of the Waitaki catchment to meet reasonably foreseeable needs, including by: safeguarding the integrity, form, functioning and resilience of the braided river system maintaining natural landscape and amenity characteristics and qualities of the river that people appreciate and enjoy. In addition, the objective responds to the relationship of Ngāi Tahu and their culture and traditions with the resources of the Waitaki catchment and to kaitiakitanga. |
|
s5(2)(b) |
The objective directly recognises life-supporting capacity of the Waitaki catchment and its ecosystems, including safeguarding the integrity, form, functioning and resilience of the braided river system. |
|
|
s5(2)(c) |
This objective sustains the qualities of the environment of the Waitaki catchment and through doing this will manage adverse effects on the environment. |
|
|
Enabling |
Social wellbeing |
Use of water for an individual's drinking-water, stock drinking-water and fire-fighting provides for social wellbeing. In addition, social wellbeing is provided for through maintaining the amenity characteristics and qualities of the water bodies that people appreciate and enjoy. |
|
Economic wellbeing |
The provision for individual's drinking water, stock drinking water and fire-fighting provides for economic wellbeing. In addition, people reliant on the qualities of the environment of the Waitaki catchment for their economic wellbeing are provided for. |
|
|
Cultural wellbeing |
The objective provides for cultural wellbeing by recognising the relationship of Ngāi Tahu and their culture and traditions with the resources of the Waitaki catchment and responding to kaitiakitanga. |
|
|
Health and safety |
Use of water for an individual's drinking water and fire-fighting will provide for health and safety by providing for essential services and needs. |
|
In conclusion, after considering all the information available to it, the Board's judgement is that to a significant extent Objective 1 is the most appropriate way to achieve the purpose of the RMA.
2.3 Objective 2
Objective 2 is as follows:
To the extent consistent with Objective 1, to enable people and communities to provide for their social, economic and cultural wellbeing and their health and safety, by providing for water for:
a. town and community water supplies
b. hydro-electricity generation
c. agricultural and horticultural activities
d. industrial and commercial activities
e. tourism and recreation facilities
f. any other activities.
The summary of the evaluation of Objective 2 is set out in Table 2, below.
Table 2: Evaluation of Objective 2
| Purpose of the RMA | Evaluation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Controlling |
s5(2)(a) |
The allocation to activities regime recognises current and future generations by providing for reasonably foreseeable needs. |
|
s5(2)(b) |
Objective 1 addresses life-supporting capacity. To the extent consistent with Objective 1, Objective 2 addresses life supporting capacity. |
|
|
s5(2)(c) |
Objective 1 sustains the qualities of the environment of the Waitaki catchment and through doing this manages adverse effects on the environment. The relationship between Objective 1 and Objective 2 ensures that an overall broad judgement is made in relation to the effects of activities on the environment. |
|
|
Enabling |
Social wellbeing |
By allocating water to activities, social wellbeing will be enhanced. Direct recognition is provided for town and community water supply needs and tourism and recreation facilities. In addition, there will be social wellbeing benefits derived through secondary gains from other productive out-of-river uses of water. The relationship between Objective 1 and Objective 2 ensures that an overall broad judgement is made in relation to social wellbeing. |
|
Economic wellbeing |
Through allocating water to a number of productive activities, including hydro-electricity generation, agriculture and horticulture, industrial and commercial, tourism and recreation facilities, and 'any other activity', economic wellbeing will be enhanced. Having a known allocation to each activity provides greater economic certainty, and allows diverse uses of water. Once allocations are taken up, the ability for some users to provide for their economic wellbeing will be restricted. The relationship between Objective 1 and Objective 2 ensures that an overall broad judgement is made in relation to economic wellbeing. |
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|
Cultural wellbeing |
The relationship between Objective 1 and Objective 2 ensures that an overall broad judgement is made in relation to cultural wellbeing. Objective 1 provides for cultural wellbeing by recognising the relationship of Ngāi Tahu and their culture and traditions with the resources of the Waitaki catchment and responding to kaitiakitanga. |
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|
Health and safety |
This objective provides specifically for town and community water supplies. The relationship between Objective 1 and Objective 2 ensures that an overall broad judgement is made in relation to health and safety considerations. |
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In conclusion, after considering all the information available to it, the Board's judgement is that to a significant extent Objective 2 is the most appropriate way to achieve the purpose of the RMA.
2.4 Objective 3
Objective 3 is as follows:
In allocating water, to recognise beneficial and adverse effects on the environment and both the national and local costs and benefits (environmental, social, cultural and economic).
The summary of the evaluation of Objective 3 is set out in Table 3, below.
Table 3: Evaluation of Objective 3
| Purpose of the RMA | Evaluation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Controlling |
s5(2)(a) |
The objective, in recognising both national and local benefits, recognises the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations. |
|
s5(2)(b) |
The objective recognises life-supporting capacity by recognising the beneficial and adverse effects on the environment. |
|
|
s5(2)(c) |
The objective specifically recognises the adverse effects of activities on the environment. |
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|
Enabling |
Social wellbeing |
The objective recognises national and local social benefits. |
|
Economic wellbeing |
The objective recognises national and local economic benefits. |
|
|
Cultural wellbeing |
The objective provides for cultural wellbeing by recognising the relationship of Ngāi Tahu and their culture and traditions with the resources of the Waitaki catchment and responding to kaitiakitanga. |
|
|
Health and safety |
The objective does not address this matter. |
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In conclusion, after considering all the information available to it, the Board's judgement is that to a significant extent Objective 3 is the most appropriate way to achieve the purpose of the RMA.
2.5 Objective 4
Objective 4 is as follows:
To promote the achievement of a high level of technical efficiency in the use of allocated water.
The summary of the evaluation of Objective 4 is set out in Table 4, below.
Table 4: Evaluation of Objective 4
| Purpose of the RMA | Evaluation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Controlling |
s5(2)(a) |
The objective is primarily focused on the users of allocated water. However, through increased efficiencies the opportunity to meet the needs of future generations is provided for. |
|
s5(2)(b) |
The objective does not specifically address life-supporting capacity. It seeks to ensure that allocated water that is available for use is used in a highly technically efficient manner. |
|
|
s5(2)(c) |
The objective may result in adverse effects arising from the overuse of allocated water being avoided, remedied or mitigated, for example increased nitrate leaching. |
|
|
Enabling |
Social wellbeing |
Secondary social wellbeing benefits will occur as a result of the greater economic benefit being derived from the allocated water. |
|
Economic wellbeing |
The objective will provide the potential for greater economic benefit to be derived from the same quantum of allocated water. |
|
|
Cultural wellbeing |
The objective provides for cultural wellbeing by recognising the relationship of Ngāi Tahu and their culture and traditions with the resources of the Waitaki catchment and responding to kaitiakitanga. |
|
|
Health and safety |
This is not explicitly addressed by the objective. |
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In conclusion, after considering all the information available to it, the Board's judgement is that to a significant extent Objective 4 is the most appropriate way to achieve the purpose of the RMA.
2.6 Objective 5
Objective 5 is as follows:
To provide for a practical and fair sharing of allocated water during times of low water availability.
The summary of the evaluation of Objective 5 is set out in Table 5, below.
Table 5: Evaluation of Objective 5
| Purpose of the RMA | Evaluation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Controlling |
S5(2)(a) |
The objective does not address this matter. |
|
S5(2)(b) |
Other objectives sustain the life-supporting capacity of the river and its ecosystems. This objective addresses the sharing of allocated water during times of low water availability. It does not affect the effectiveness of the other objectives. |
|
|
S5(2)(c) |
Other objectives will manage adverse effects on the water bodies. This objective addresses the sharing of allocated water during times of low water availability. It does not affect the effectiveness of the other objectives. |
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|
Enabling |
Social wellbeing |
Social wellbeing is enhanced by providing a rational and equitable approach to water sharing. |
|
Economic wellbeing |
Provides for economic wellbeing by providing a certain water sharing approach. The approach avoids the involuntary capture of water by a single activity during water-short times. |
|
|
Cultural wellbeing |
The objective provides for cultural wellbeing by recognising the relationship of Ngāi Tahu and their culture and traditions with the resources of the Waitaki catchment and responding to kaitiakitanga. |
|
|
Health and safety |
Does not specifically address this matter. |
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In conclusion, after considering all the information available to it, the Board's judgement is that to a moderate extent Objective 5 is the most appropriate way to achieve the purpose of the RMA.
