Executive Summary
The Government established the Sustainable Development Water Programme of Action in 2003 to ensure that the country's freshwater resources are managed to best support New Zealand's future sustainable development. The programme is part of the Government's wider Sustainable Development Programme of Action.
In February 2005, 14 meetings were held with local government around the country to discuss the issues and options contained in the discussion document Freshwater for a sustainable future: issues and options. The discussion document was released for public comment in December 2004. This report summarises the initial comments made on the document received at the meetings, as well as additional issues and actions raised.
There was general agreement that the eight key issues are challenges which New Zealand faces in the management of freshwater resources. Several additional issues were identified which participants felt were not sufficiently emphasised in the discussion document. These included:
- integrated catchment management
- urban use and supply
- climate change
- biosecurity
- sustainable development.
The level of support for each of the 13 actions was dependent on their future shape and form. In many cases local government provided comments about how the actions could be developed, which problems particular tools could address, and implementation issues which need to be considered. The following actions received wide support at most meetings:
Action 4: Increase central government participation in regional planning
Whole of government submissions were supported; however, central government participation was not to be at the expense of local decision-making.
Action 5: Increase central government's support for local government
Central government involvement in the following areas was supported:
- funding for implementation
- funding for science and research
- developing and disseminating best practice
- funding community projects
- funding new agencies
- funding for storage.
Action 12: Raise awareness of freshwater problems and pressures
There was agreement that raising awareness of freshwater issues should be a key part of the programme. Central government has a role in developing national programmes with local government and disseminating existing information on freshwater issues.
Action 13: Collaboration between central government and local government, scientists and key stakeholders on pilot projects to demonstrate and test new water management initiatives
Greater co-ordination and partnership between central government, local government, the science community and community groups was supported at all of the meetings. Pilot projects were widely supported, especially in the area of addressing land-use impacts on water quality.
For some actions, it is not possible to draw clear levels of support or opposition due to the initial nature of the comments and the need for further development of the actions. There was uncertainty about how the following actions could be developed:
Action 1: Develop national policy statement
There was support for a national policy statement if it is a high level guidance document. An 'overly prescriptive' document was not supported. The importance on maintaining local decision-making was raised.
Action 2: Develop national environmental standards
Methods for setting minimum flows, allocation limits and water quality standards at the regional level were supported. Few supported a numerical standard set at the national level.
Action 3: Address nationally important values
There was a split of opinion regarding this action. Identifying nationally important values for water bodies could be useful to guide regional planning, but national values could conflict with local values.
Action 6: Develop special mechanisms for regional councils
Few comments made about the use of a tool to progressively constrain consents for over-allocated resources ('clawback'). Tools for managing diffuse discharges were supported, as well as the use of incentives to improve efficiency of use, and tools for setting minimum flows.
Action 7: Enhance the transfer of allocated water between users
Transfer could increase efficiency of use if environmental, social and cultural values are provided for. Existing investments must be protected in a transfer system.
Action 8: Develop market mechanisms to manage diffuse discharges
More information is required on how this action could work. Local government suggests that there is a need to consider the range of tools available for managing diffuse discharges.
Action 9: Set requirements for regional freshwater plans to address key issues and challenges
Few comments were made regarding this action. Improved strategic planning was supported.
Action 10: Enhance Māori participation
The Resource Management Act and the Local government Act were regarded as already providing opportunities for Māori to participate in freshwater management. There is a need for clearly defined roles for central government, local government, and Māori.
Action 11: Enable regional councils to allocate water to priority uses
Councils did not support having to 'pick winners' amongst uses and values. Market tools could provide more flexibility for allocating water but environmental, social and cultural values must also be provided for. Water should remain in public ownership. Equitable access to water for all interests is important.
