As decision time for the Otago Regional Council’s decision on its Land and Water Regional Plan looms, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds is keeping a watchful eye on the outcome.

Minister Simmonds and fellow Minister Todd McClay met with regional councillors in a closed door meeting in Dunedin on October 12.

Following the meeting, Minister Simmonds told The Central App she continued to express concern that its approach to notify the plan may lead to duplication or unnecessary costs.

“I am continuing to monitor the council and have not ruled out further interventions or appropriate actions to ensure the freshwater planning does not impose unnecessary costs on ratepayers.”

Regional councillors will decide on Wednesday whether to continue and notify the plan or pause, until the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management review is underway.

 “Local democracy means regional councils are responsible for freshwater management within their regions, while central government sets the national policy direction,” Minister Simmonds said.

The Government has extended the deadline for councils to notify their freshwater plan changes by an extra three years, giving them until December 31, 2027. 

This would provide time to replace and start implementation on the new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, she said.

Otago Regional Council chair Gretchen Robertson SUPPLIED

Regional council chair Gretchen Robertson, who was one of the seven councillors keen to push on with its regional water plan, said the ORC would weigh up risks and opportunities and take into account both its legal obligations and community needs. 

She said consecutive ministers have acknowledged that Otago’s current water plan was outdated.

“Minister Simmonds has stated she prefers pausing notification to avoid duplication and costs, she has consistently reaffirmed that councils have the autonomy to decide on timing.

"Minister Simmonds has made clear she has not directed councils to stop. Her preference for a pause has been clear, but so too has her understanding of key local issues needing local solutions and of the time bound challenges Otago faces with its current plan.”  

She said both the regional council and the Government shared the goal of a fair, efficient process that ensured healthy water and livelihoods. 

“ORC has the task of deciding whether this is through notification (which still enables any new Government policies to be incorporated through the hearing process), or through a pause till the resource management system is reformed. 

''This is yet to be decided on the 23rd of October.” 

Cr Robertson acknowledged the regional council faced a key democratic decision. 

“Each councillor takes an oath to serve all the people of Otago. It serves a community that tells us in community surveys, that freshwater is its top environmental concern—vital for both livelihoods and futures.”