Andrew von Dadelszen Former Regional Councillor

Central Government has a consultation document out, proposing legislative change to improve the management of New Zealand's rivers, lakes, aquifers and wetlands.

Currently, New Zealanders only use two per cent of our rainfall, yet in specific places there is a real shortage of available water for allocation; and we need to manage both water quality better, as well as improve efficiency of use.

I was heartened to hear the proposal for regional and unitary councils to be required to heed to 'national standards”, but I'm a bit sceptical of these same councils complying with this national framework. History tells us our councils have been notoriously poor in the past, using their risk-averse and cost-plus mentality to overly complicate what should be straightforward legislation.

It is my view Central Government is taking a 'soft option” on this, and they would have been better to strengthen the powers of the Environmental Protection Authority to administer this.

I know the EPA has also struggled to effectively manage their mandate, but the track record of local authorities managing the RMA tells me we are going to have to be vigilant to protect the rights of all New Zealanders with this current proposition.

This is one of the primary reasons that I've decided to once again stand for election as one of your regional councillors – I'm concerned our current bunch will likely 'roll over” on issues such as water allocation.

The proposal is for regional and unitary councils to manage both water quality and water quantity issues, but with strengthened national requirements. Historically, each regional council has set its own rules and limits; and these haven't been consistent across the country.

The Minister for the Environment Dr Nick Smith and the Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy announced at the Bluegreens Forum last month 23 initiatives to legislate for better environmental rules for fresh water.

These include: National regulations to get stock out of waterways – with a determined timetable for compliance – and appropriate enforcement requirements; strengthening the national requirements on councils to set limits; standardised water permit conditions on the efficient use of water and minimising nutrient loss; improved iwi involvement in council development of water plans and water conservation orders; and an additional $100m clean-up fund for lakes, rivers and wetlands.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me at andrew@vond.co.nz or visit www.vond.co.nz