Proposed Southland Water and Land Plan

The proposed Southland Water and Land Plan was the first step to provide Southland a regional regulatory framework to prevent further decline of our water quality. To do that, it adopted the approach that land and water should be managed in a holistic way, recognising the connectivity between surface and groundwater, and between freshwater, land and the coast. When initially notified in 2016, the plan introduced new rules for activities like intensive winter grazing, stock access to waterways and land use intensification, as well as industrial and wastewater discharges.

The Plan was developed and engaged on with the Southland community in 2015 and 2016. It was then publicly notified in June 2016.

It has been through the Resource Management Act process of submissions (947 submissions received) and hearings (274 submitters were heard over 26 days). The decisions version was accepted by Council on 4 April 2018.

Twenty-five parties then appealed various parts of the plan to the Environment Court.

Since 2018, the Environment Court has heard from 52 expert witnesses, gathered 200 plus pieces of evidence, and received 25 joint witness statements. The court has issued nine interim decisions and consent orders.

In 2021, the Objectives in the plan were made operative by council.

Making the plan operative will replace other old water plans in the region (Transitional Regional Plan and the Regional Effluent Land Application Plan) and therefore removes some complexity with the regulatory landscape for many activities. Where some rules in the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan are still under appeal, the corresponding rules in the Regional Water Plan still remain operative.

A number of rules have been added or strengthened through the Court process. These include the rules for intensive winter grazing, farm plans, pasture-based wintering and discharge consents, as well as industrial and wastewater discharges.

Council's decision

The proposed Southland Water and Land Plan demonstrates Southlanders’ ability to work together to create Murihiku Southland solutions for the benefit of our region.

The plan is the product of a robust process over many years and is underpinned by Southland-specific science presented by all parties.

Chairman Nicol Horrell - "While this has been a long process, it’s produced a plan that is tailored for Southland and has involved many parties and individuals who have an interest in Southland’s environment. Individuals from the community to major stakeholders, industry bodies and other councils have had their say, and this level of engagement provides real benefits for the region."

• The most recent version of the proposed plan is available here: proposed Southland Water and Land Plan (operative in part)
• Maps are also available: Part B maps document
• A list of these changes is available here: List of corrections
• Click here to read some Q&As regarding the plan.
• Read the full media release from 8 May 2024 around the Council's decision to adopt the proposed plan
• See the full public notice (published 18 May 2024)