Tasman District Council is asking the Minister for the Environment to grant an exemption that would allow notification of a time-sensitive plan change required to support the Water Conservation Order (WCO) for Te Waikoropupū Springs.

The WCO, gazetted in 2023, is the first in New Zealand to focus primarily on groundwater and requires measurable improvements in water quality by 2038.

It sets strict obligations on Council and the community, including setting water flow and quality limits and reducing nitrogen levels.

If these limits are not met, irrigation use and farming in the recharge area may need to significantly change.
The plan change is the legal mechanism to embed the WCO into the Tasman Resource Management Plan.

Without it, Council cannot meet its statutory obligations under the WCO. Delay could jeopardise both environmental outcomes and farm businesses.

The statutory deadlines tied to the WCO remain in force, regardless of national resource management reform timelines.

Proceeding with the plan change will give certainty to all affected parties as the reform process progresses and recognises the exceptional circumstances of the WCO for Te Waikoropupū Springs.

The exemptions sought for the PC 84 amendments to implement the Water Conservation Order for Te Waikoropupū Springs and aquifer can be read here.

Share the journey for implementing the Water Conservation Order (WCO). Te Waikoropupū Springs WCO information and data