Draft LFPC 84: making a difference for land and freshwater
A supporting resolution from the Strategy and Policy Committee has approved the development of a draft plan change to the Tasman Resource Management Plan to address land and freshwater issues in Tasman and provide support for the Te Waikoropupū Springs Water Conservation Order.
Land and Freshwater Plan Change (LFPC) 84 is significant in that it collectively addresses land and freshwater issues for nitrates, allocation, and sediment issues across the region. A key intention of the engagement process is to increase awareness of the responsibility to safeguard and improve the quality of our freshwater.
In setting the priority issues for the LFPC we are mindful of the need for flexibility around the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management due to some legislative uncertainty.
Council also recognises that some changes may take time and any change needs to be practical and affordable to communities responsible for that change. Any consideration to raising regulatory standards will only be factored where existing standards fall short.
Priority issues for LFPC 84 are:
- Support for Te Waikoropupū Springs Water Conservation Order.
- Updating the plan provisions for the Waimea Community Dam and management of nitrates in the Waimea Plains aquifers.
- Allocation concerns in some catchments, including the Deep Moutere Aquifers.
- Land disturbance and sediment management.
- Waterbody health and management, and
- Waterbody and community resilience to our changing climate.
Work will now continue, aiming to release the draft LFPC 84 as soon as possible for public feedback which will be informed by the ongoing discussion with landowners and users, stakeholders and interested parties.
This consultation and engagement process will increase our understanding of how the approaches to land and water will affect different sectors of the community and highlight challenges in meeting all the needs for land and water use in the region.
Feedback from this process will help inform changes to the final plan change. A decision on public notification of the plan change will follow once the Council has considered feedback on the draft plan change.
Bookmark this page for updates and information prior to the release of the draft LFPC and if you have any questions, regarding the WCO please email us at wco@tasman.govt.nz and for enquires on the plan change please email us at freshwater.plan@tasman.govt.nz
