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Monitoring environmental wellbeing outcomes

The monitoring stage of the policy cycle is essential to refine and improve the quality of information, and achieve outcomes. The monitoring strategy developed under the LGA should integrate monitoring of all council plans and not just the LTCCP.

The Ministry for the Environment reports to the government and the community on the health of New Zealand’s environment. The Ministry provides tools and guidelines for monitoring the environment; including classification systems and indicator development.

Why monitor?

Monitoring and reporting progress towards community outcomes is necessary to inform decision-makers and the community about:

  • The state of the issue (for example, the trends surrounding what you are measuring)
  • What is influencing the issue (for example, why the negative situation is occurring)
  • The effectiveness of the activities implemented to help achieve positive outcomes (for example, positive change occurring to what you are measuring)
  • The effectiveness of the policies and processes that the council has employed and suggestions to improve it or make it more efficient.

When monitoring you should ask yourself the following questions:

  • Why am I monitoring this measure?
  • What am I going to do with the data gathered?
  • What effect will the data gathered have on the policies and the programmes that affect the measure /outcomes?

The purpose of monitoring and reporting should be to inform future decisions and activities around the outcome you have monitored. Keep the number of measures to a minimum.

Local Government Act and Resource Management Act monitoring

The 2003 amendment of the RMA, s35 (2A), requires every local authority, at intervals of no more than five years, to compile and make available to the public, a review of the results of its monitoring. Section 35 (2) outlines what needs to be monitored. This has implications for reporting when considered in conjunction with the requirements of the LGA. In order to determine the effectiveness of councils' LTCCPs, progress towards community outcomes must be measured, monitored and reported on every three years as required by section 92 of the LGA. An integrated monitoring strategy can be implemented for both Acts.

The same measures or parameters can be monitored but the different focus should be reflected in the interpretation of the data.

Helpful monitoring links

Here is an example of an integrated monitoring strategy from Waikato District Council.

Statistics New Zealand has a range of data relevant to community wellbeing. You can search the Statistics website for statistics by area and find reports and articles about monitoring the natural environment. Statistics is developing a national set of linked indicators including environmental indicators that will enable councils to monitor their progress towards sustainability.

The quality planning monitoring one stop shop has great monitoring information and best practice examples of monitoring strategies.

The Quality of Life Indicators project monitors the quality of life in New Zealand 's large cities. It has an urban focus but there are natural and built environment indicators and information.

From 2006 all LTCCPs will be audited by the Office of the Controller and Auditor General. The Office has information about getting ready for the LTCCP audit process.

Where to from here?

Click on the shapes or text below to continue.

Planning for and identifying community outcomes

Prioritising environmental issues

Implementing your LTCCP

Back to Promoting environvental wellbeing

 

Last updated: 12 March 2009