Environment Southland confirms freshwater approach
Environment Southland has confirmed its approach to improving freshwater and it involves a focus on working with communities and delaying the plan change to set limits.
In line with the Government direction and the review of national freshwater legislation, Plan Change Tuatahi won’t be notified at the end of this year, but by the end of 2027 or earlier if possible.
Environment Southland councillors shared their views in a robust conversation about the approach to the freshwater work programme at the Strategy and Policy committee meeting yesterday.
Committee Chair Lyndal Ludlow said the council had been working on meeting the national direction and improving our freshwater to meet community expectations for many years, and we agreed that we need to continue to do that.
“Our focus over the next two years will be on working with communities, industry and groups on the actions they wish to take to improve freshwater, both at a catchment and property scale.
“This reflects the Regional Forum’s advice for a community and catchment-centred approach and aligns with the Government’s messaging in relation to its freshwater programme, which looks to enable more local catchment-level solutions.”
Councillors agreed to a two-phase approach to the freshwater work programme, which includes a plan change in 2025 to set long-term goals and address any barriers that may be preventing people adopting improved practices in the current Southland Water and Land Plan and Regional Policy Statement.
The 2027 plan change will give effect to the expected revised National Policy Statement.
“We already have robust local rules here in Southland thanks to the Southland Water and Land Plan, and this gives us a solid foundation on which we can work with our community.”
Chairman Nicol Horrell said limits and targets will form part of the 2027 plan change, but it’s yet to be determined what they will look like.
“Councillors are aware of the uncertainty our community feels at the moment with the changing legislation, but we are clear on what people should be doing and the direction we’re going.”
This uncertainty has resulted in some operators being unwilling to start making environmental improvements now in case they are disadvantaged in the future by doing so.
Councillors confirmed grandparenting would not form part of the long-term solution to limit setting. While everyone must play their part to improve freshwater, those responsible for the greatest environmental impact will need to make a greater contribution.
They also confirmed a reference period will be used as the starting point to measure any improvements identified in regulation. A reference period of July 2014 to June 2019 will recognise those who have already started making environmental improvements.
“Although we won’t be setting limits immediately, improved water quality is the goal so if you haven’t already started, now is the time to be making environmental improvements and to document details like land use area and type, stock types and numbers, fertiliser use, and actions adopted on-farm in your farm plan.
As part of the 2025 plan change, Environment Southland will be updating the farming rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan to provide an option of using a farm plan as a potential alternative to some consenting requirements.
“Like the Government, we want a farm plan system that is practical, cost-effective and based on specific farm conditions or circumstances that ultimately achieve the environmental improvements we all want,” Chairman Horrell said.
What is the Regional Forum?
The Regional Forum was a community-based group that advised Environment Southland’s council and Te Ao Marama board members on how to achieve the communities’ aspirations for freshwater. Members of the forum considered specific policies as well as the on-ground initiatives required to make change and improve Southland’s water and land for generations to come.
Read more about the forum and their report - https://waterandland.es.govt.nz/regional-forum
What is grandparenting?
The grandparenting principle is based around historical land use and benefits those who have high intensity operations.
