Otago Regional Council chair Gretchen Robertson assured the public this week that the council has no wish to be defiant or rebellious regarding its Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP).

The council issued a press release ahead of its Environmental Science and Policy workshop that attracted feedback from 27 stakeholders on its LWRP. 

The workshop’s purpose was for regional councillors to consider feedback on the draft and check whether anything can be improved ahead of public notification.

“This is a really useful step and means that the initial draft may well be significantly different when it comes to public notification,” Gretchen said.

Next week, on March 27, the council will decide whether there should be a change to the work programme on the LWRP, in line with Environment Minister Penny Simmond’s recommendation. 

None of the councillors at yesterday’s council meeting commented on the letter from Simmonds about pushing out the deadline to 2027.

“The council is giving due respect to the helpful ideas received, regardless of when the notification date is set for the plan. Understanding what key issues face Otago's freshwater management and how key stakeholders feel these are best addressed is always going to be helpful,” Gretchen said.

“ORC has no wish to be defiant or rebellious. We’re walking a delicate tightrope of honouring current obligations with emerging government visions for freshwater planning. We’re keen to establish a transparent and constructive relationships, which results in great outcomes for Otago’s people and waterways,” she said.

Cr Robertson noted Minister Simmonds’ acknowledgement that the council’s position was “unique” in being one of the earliest in starting its land and water plan.

“There’s been many years of work by ORC staff already invested in developing the proposals for the LWRP, which should be seen through to its natural conclusion. Otherwise, we face starting over again which would become a burden on ratepayers,” she said.