Council adopts Annual Report 2018/19 and summary

The Council adopted both the Annual Report 2018/2019 and Annual Report 2018/19 Summary last week at its final meeting for the triennium.

The audited documents report on how well the Council had met its goals and budgets for the past financial year as set out in the Long-term Plan 2018-2028.

Environment Southland Chairman Nicol Horrell said the results were pleasing, with many work programme milestones either being achieved or having work underway.

The Council ended the year with a financial surplus of $1.187 million, which is better than the forecasted deficit of $487,000, which was largely due to better-than-expected performance by financial investments.

Environment Southland’s balance sheet remains strong, with significant reserves underpinned by investments, however the balance of the reserves is changing, with the disaster or specific purpose reserves increasing and the general purpose reserves declining.

Some of the highlights for the past year include:

• Progressing the People, Water and Land programme including undertaking the summer-long Share Your Wai community engagement to understand people’s aspirations for freshwater and establishing the Regional Forum.
• The adoption of the Southland Regional Pest Management Plan, which includes a site-led programme on Stewart Island/Rakiura.
• Completing 166 Focus Activity Farm Plans.
• Winning the New Zealand Biosecurity Supreme Award for the Fiordland Marine Regional Pathway Management Plan. Developed in partnership with the Fiordland Marine Guardians, Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation and Ngāi Tahu, it is the first of its kind, and includes a clean vessel pass system to stop the introduction of pests hitchhiking on boat hulls and marine gear into Fiordland.
• Environment Southland became a shareholder of the newly formed Great South (formerly Venture Southland), the regional development agency. This recognises our regional leadership role and follows on from our involvement in the Southland Regional Development Strategy (SoRDS).

Nicol Horrell said as a regional council Environment Southland takes a long term perspective and was in a good position to tackle the challenges ahead.

“The future holds real challenges and the Government’s new water and land proposals are upon us, but the Council is looking aligned and in good shape.”

The Annual Report 2018-2019 and Annual Report 2018/19 Summary are available on the website, or by calling 0800 76 88 45.