5. Allocation of water to activities continued
5.3 Division of allocated water between activities
5.3.4 Benefits and costs
The Board's evaluation of the benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to the division of the annual allocation of water between activities is summarised in Tables 23, 24, 25 and 26 below.
Table 23: Benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to the division of the annual allocation of water between activities upstream of the outlets of Lakes Tekapo, Pūkaki and Ōhau, and including Lakes Tekapo, Pūkaki and Ōhau
| Benefits | Costs |
|---|---|
|
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
|
Economic Generally retains significant volumes of the highest value water for hydro-electricity generation. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs (up to 2050) of the town and community water supplies. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs (up to 2050) of tourism and recreational facilities. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs of industrial and commercial activities. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs of agricultural and horticultural activities within the Waitaki catchment, including those foreshadowed in the MIC/MEL agreement. Water allocated in the Plan to activities other than hydro-electricity generation that is not taken by resource consent-holders will be generally available for hydro-electricity generation. Small amounts of water can be taken. This will provide for the basic needs of individual properties. |
Economic Opportunity cost attached to hydro-electricity generation, limited by the existing allocation through resource consents. No flexibility is provided for 'any other activities'. Reduced opportunity to derive economic benefit out-of-catchment. Current irrigators may require capital investment to achieve the technical efficiency expectations in the Plan. |
|
Social Essential community water supply needs are provided for. Enhanced secondary social wellbeing effects from town and community water supplies, tourism and recreational facilities, industrial and commercial, agricultural and horticultural activities and small water takes. |
Social Forgone secondary social wellbeing effects from 'any other activities' that require the take and use of water. |
Table 24: Benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to the division of the annual allocation of water between activities upstream of Waitaki Dam but downstream of the outlets of Lakes Tekapo, Pūkaki and Ōhau
|
Benefits |
Costs |
|---|---|
|
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
|
Economic Generally retains the high and moderate value water for hydro-electricity generation. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs (up to 2050) of the town and community water supplies. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs of industrial and commercial activities. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs of agricultural and horticultural activities within the Waitaki catchment, including those foreshadowed in the 1969 Order in Council and MEL/MIC agreement. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs (up to 2050) of tourism and recreational facilities. Flexibility is provided for 'any other activities'. Water allocated in the Plan to activities other than hydro-electricity generation that is not taken by resource consent-holders will be generally available for hydro-electricity generation. Small amounts of water can be taken. This will provide for the basic needs of individual properties. |
Economic Opportunity cost attached to hydro-electricity generation, limited by the existing allocation through resource consents. Current irrigators may require capital investment to achieve the technical efficiency expectations in the Plan. |
|
Social Community water supply needs provided for. Significant secondary social wellbeing effects from agricultural and horticultural activities. These will include benefits to the community structure and population. Enhanced secondary social wellbeing effects from town and community water supplies, industrial and commercial activities, tourism and recreational facilities and small water takes. |
Social |
Table 25: Benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to the division of the annual allocation of water between activities downstream of Waitaki Dam but upstream of Black Point
| Benefits | Costs |
|---|---|
|
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
|
Economic Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs (up to 2030) of the town and community water supplies within and outside the catchment. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs of industrial and commercial activities. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs of agricultural and horticultural activities, including by:
Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs (up to 2030) of tourism and recreational facilities. Flexibility is provided for 'any other activities'. Provides for the opportunity to derive economic benefit from hydro power generation between Waitaki Dam and Black Point. Provides for water allocated to activities downstream of Waitaki Dam to be released from the Dam. Provides for the opportunity to derive economic benefit from the use of water downstream of Black Point that was returned to the Waitaki River upstream of Black Point. Small amounts of water can be taken. This will provide for the basic needs of individual properties. |
Economic Opportunity cost attached to hydro-electricity generation upstream of Waitaki Dam limited by the existing allocation through resource consents. Current irrigators may require capital investment to achieve the technical efficiency expectations in the Plan. Opportunity costs attached to annual allocation to activities regime when water remains unutilised, but could be taken up by another activity. |
|
Social Community water supply needs provided for. Significant secondary social wellbeing effects from agricultural and horticultural activities. Enhanced secondary social wellbeing effects from town and community water supplies, industrial and commercial activities, tourism and recreational facilities and small water takes. |
Social Forgone secondary social wellbeing effects when water remains unutilised, but could be taken up by another activity. |
Table 26: Benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to the division of the annual allocation of water between activities downstream of Waitaki Dam but downstream of Black Point
| Benefits | Costs |
|---|---|
|
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
|
Economic Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs (up to 2030) of the town and community water supplies within and outside the catchment. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs of industrial and commercial activities. Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs of agricultural and horticultural activities, including by:
Provides for the existing and foreseeable needs (up to 2030) of tourism and recreational facilities. Flexibility is provided for 'any other activities'. Provides for water allocated to activities downstream of Waitaki Dam to be released from the Dam. Small amounts of water can be taken. This will provide for the basic needs of individual properties. |
Economic Opportunity cost attached to hydro-electricity generation upstream of Waitaki Dam limited by the existing allocation through resource consents. Opportunity costs attached to annual allocation to activities regime when water remains unutilised, but could be taken up by another activity. Current irrigators may require capital investment to achieve the technical efficiency expectations in the Plan. |
|
Social Community water supply needs provided for. Significant secondary social wellbeing effects from agricultural and horticultural activities. Enhanced secondary social wellbeing effects from town and community water supplies, industrial and commercial activities, tourism and recreational facilities and small water takes. |
Social Forgone secondary social wellbeing effects when water remains unutilised, but could be taken up by another activity. |
5.3.5 Efficiency
Following the consideration of the benefits and costs of the provisions, it is the Board's judgement that the provisions relevant to the division of the annual allocation of water between activities:
- upstream of the outlets of Lakes Tekapo, Pūkaki and Ōhau, and including Lakes Tekapo, Pūkaki and Ōhau are of moderate efficiency
- upstream of Waitaki Dam but downstream of the outlets of Lakes Tekapo, Pūkaki and Ōhau are of moderate efficiency
- downstream of Waitaki Dam but upstream of Black Point are of high efficiency
- downstream of Waitaki Dam but downstream of Black Point are of high efficiency.
5.3.6 Appropriateness
The Board's evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of provisions relating to the division of the annual allocation of water between activities are summarised in Table 27 below.
Table 27: Summary of the effectiveness and efficiency of provisions relating to the division of the annual allocation of water between activities
| Effectiveness | Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|
| Upstream of the outlets of Lakes Tekapo, Pūkaki and Ōhau, and including Lakes Tekapo, Pūkaki and Ōhau | Moderate | Moderate |
| Upstream of Waitaki Dam but downstream of the outlets of Lakes Tekapo, Pūkaki and Ōhau | Moderate | Moderate |
| Downstream of Waitaki Dam but upstream of Black Point | High | High |
| Downstream of Waitaki Dam but downstream of Balck Point | High | High |
Having regard to this information, and taking into account the benefits and costs, it is the Board's judgement that the provisions relating to the division of the annual allocation of water between activities are the most appropriate way to achieve the objectives of the Plan.
5.4 Harvesting of water
5.4.1 Plan provisions
The relevant provisions of the Plan are:
- Policy 8
- Rule 2, 6, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 24.
5.4.2 Effectiveness
The Board's evaluation of the effectiveness of the provisions in the Plan providing for the harvesting of water at times above mean flow is summarised in Table 28 below. In this circumstance,
Objectives 1, 2 and 3 are relevant to the evaluation.
Table 28: Effectiveness of the provisions in the Plan allocating water for harvesting at times above mean flow
| Objective | Provisions | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Providing for water harvesting allows natural variations in water bodies to be mimicked and ensures medium sized flood events continue to occur. This safeguards life-supporting capacity, and maintains people's appreciation and enjoyment, of water bodies. Recognises the relationship of Ngāi Tahu and their culture and traditions with the Waitaki catchment, a taonga, and its associated sites and wāhi tapu. |
Moderate |
|
2 |
Allocates water to harvesting in accordance with the parameters specified in the Plan. Implementation will occur through the consideration of resource consents as a discretionary activity for the harvesting of water within the annual allocation to activity regimes (or in excess of the annual allocation to activities regime where this is specifically provided for in the Plan) and as a non-complying activity for the harvesting of water outside that allocated in the annual allocation to activities. |
High |
|
3 |
Providing for harvesting at times of high flow enables water to be stored and used when it is not required for environmental reasons to be in the water bodies. This recognises the beneficial effects on the environment and national and local benefits of the use of water. |
High |
|
Overall effectiveness |
High |
|
5.4.3 Benefits and costs
The Board's evaluation of the benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to the allocation of water for harvesting at times above mean flow is summarised in Table 29 below.
Table 29: Benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan allocating water for harvesting at times above mean flow
| Benefits | Costs |
|---|---|
|
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
|
Economic Provides opportunity for activities to have access to water and derive economic benefit. |
Economic Water storage facilities will need to be constructed. |
|
Social Enhanced secondary social wellbeing effects by increasing the opportunity to utilise water. |
Social |
5.4.4 Efficiency
Following the consideration of the benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to allocating water for harvesting at times above mean flow, it is the Board's judgement that the provisions are of moderate efficiency.
5.4.5 Appropriateness
The Board's evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the provisions in the Plan relating to the allocation of water for harvesting at times above mean flow is summarised in Table 30 below.
Table 30: Summary of the effectiveness and efficiency of the provisions in the Plan relating to allocating water for harvesting at times above mean flow
| Effectiveness | Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|
|
Water harvesting |
High |
Moderate |
Having regard to this information, and taking into account the benefits and costs, it is the Board's judgement that the provisions in the Plan relating to allocating water for harvesting at times above mean flow are the most appropriate to achieve the objectives of the Plan.
5.5 Mixing of water in and out-of-catchment
5.5.1 Introduction
This section addresses the mixing of water between different catchments, or sub-catchments within the Waitaki catchment.
5.5.2 Plan provisions
The relevant provisions of the Plan are:
- Policy 9
- Rules 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 24.
5.5.3 Effectiveness
The Board's evaluation of the effectiveness of the provisions in the Plan relating to the mixing of water in and out-of-catchment is summarised in Table 31 below. In this circumstance, Objective 1 is relevant to the evaluation.
Table 31: Effectiveness of the provisions in the Plan relating to the mixing of water in and out-of-catchment
| Objective | Provisions | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
The mixing of water of different water bodies will be considered as part of resource-consent applications for a discretionary or non-complying activity. The matters to be assessed include cultural wellbeing, water quality, amenity and natural character and ensuring undesirable organisms are not introduced. These matters relate directly to Objective 1 (a), (b) and (c). |
Moderate |
5.5.4 Benefits and costs
The Board's evaluation of the benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to the mixing of water in and out-of-catchment is summarised in Table 32 below.
Table 32: Benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to the mixing of water in and out-of-catchment
| Benefits | Costs |
|---|---|
|
Environmental Manages adverse effects of mixing of the water of different water bodies on the water quality, amenity and natural character of water in the Waitaki catchment. Provides for consideration of the intrinsic values and life-supporting capacity of the water within the Waitaki catchment. Provides for the consideration of the interchange of undesirable organisms between the different waters. |
Environmental Reduced likelihood of augmenting existing water bodies where this may have habitat benefits. |
|
Economic Retains, in the greater part, potential economic benefits of water use within the catchment. Retains flexibility to grant resource consents for the mixing of water outside and within the catchment. |
Economic Reduced opportunity to derive economic benefits from water use outside of the catchment or sub-catchment. Compliance costs will be incurred by the Canterbury Regional Council, any resource consent applicant, and other parties participating, if a resource-consent application is made resulting in the mixing of waters. |
|
Social Enhanced secondary social wellbeing effects of the use of the water within the catchment from which it is derived. |
Social Reduced potential secondary social wellbeing effects of the use of water outside of the catchment or sub-catchment. |
|
Cultural Recognises the relationship of Ngāi Tahu and their culture and traditions with the Waitaki River, a taonga, and its associated sites and wāhi tapu. Has particular regard to the kaitiakitanga of Ngāi Tahu. |
Cultural |
5.5.5 Efficiency
Following the consideration of the benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan to manage the mixing of water in and out-of-catchment, it is the Board's judgement that the provisions are of high efficiency.
5.5.6 Appropriateness
The Board's evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the provisions in the Plan relating to the mixing of water in and out-of-catchment is summarised in Table 33 below.
Table 33: Summary of the effectiveness and efficiency of the provisions in the Plan relating to the mixing of water in and out-of-catchment
| Effectiveness | Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|
|
Mixing of water between sub-catchments and out-of-catchment |
Moderate |
High |
Having regard to this information, and taking into account the benefits and costs, it is the Board's judgement that the provisions in the Plan relating to the mixing of water in and out-of-catchment are the most appropriate to achieve the objectives of the Plan.
5.6 Out-of-catchment use of water
5.6.1 Introduction
This section addresses the use of water from the Waitaki River, and its tributaries, outside of the Waitaki catchment.
5.6.2 Plan provisions
The relevant provisions of the Plan are:
- Policy 14
- Rules 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.
5.6.3 Effectiveness
The Board's evaluation of the effectiveness of the provisions in the Plan relating to the use of water out-of-catchment is summarised in Table 34 below. In this circumstance, Objectives 2 and 3 are relevant to the evaluation.
Table 34: Effectiveness of the provisions in the Plan relating to the use of water out-of-catchment
| Objective | Provisions | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
|
2 |
The allocation of water to activities outside the Waitaki catchment requires a consent authority to have regard to the current and reasonably foreseeable needs for that water within the catchment. This enables consideration of the ability of people and communities within the catchment to provide for their social, economic and cultural wellbeing and health and safety. The amount of water that is allocated to activities is not affected, just where that water may be used. Implementation of the provisions relating to the out-of-catchment use of water will occur through the consideration of resource-consent applications as a discretionary or non-complying activity. |
High |
|
3 |
Provides specific recognition of the cost within the catchment of foregoing the use of water allocated in Table 5. This will be implemented through the assessment of resource-consent applications. |
High |
|
Overall effectiveness |
High |
|
5.6.4 Benefits and costs
The Board's evaluation of the benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to the use of water out-of-catchment is summarised in Table 35 below.
Table 35: Benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to the use of water out-of-catchment
| Benefits | Costs |
|---|---|
|
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider catchment environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider catchment environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. Reduced likelihood of indirect augmentation of existing water bodies outside the Waitaki catchment where this may have habitat benefits. |
|
Economic Requires consideration of the potential economic benefits of water use within the catchment in any resource consent involving out of catchment use of water. Emphasises the option value of the use of the water within the catchment as a consideration in any resource consent process. Retains some flexibility to grant resource consents for the use of water outside the catchment. |
Economic Potentially reduced opportunity to derive economic benefits from water use outside of the catchment. Compliance costs will be incurred by the Canterbury Regional Council, any resource consent applicant, and other parties participating in the resource consent process, if a resource-consent application is made to use waters outside the catchment. |
|
Social Enhanced secondary social wellbeing effects of the use of the water within the catchment from which it is derived. |
Social Reduced potential secondary social wellbeing effects of the out-of-catchment use of water. |
5.6.5 Efficiency
Following the consideration of the benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan to manage the use of water out-of-catchment, it is the Board's judgement that the provisions are of high efficiency.
5.6.6 Appropriateness
The Board's evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the provisions in the Plan relating to the use of water out-of-catchment is summarised in Table 36 below.
Table 36: Summary of the effectiveness and efficiency of the provisions in the Plan relating to the use of water out-of-catchment
| Effectiveness | Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|
|
Use of water out-of-catchment |
High |
High |
Having regard to this information, and taking into account the benefits and costs, it is the Board's judgement that the provisions in the Plan relating to the use of water out-of-catchment are the most appropriate to achieve the objectives of the Plan.
