Public’s â€ÅFree†Water Expectation Inappropriate

Tararua District Council is calling for a change of attitude towards the allocation of water and its management.


In a submission to the government’s National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management on issues that “should be” addressed the council argues that continuing public expectations of “free” water are no longer realistic and that local authorities should use “economic instruments” to increase efficiency.


Examples of “economic instruments” are water metering and tradable water rights. Together with metering in urban areas could go requirements or incentives to install water tanks.


The submission, prepared by Planning Solutions Consultant Anne Hilson combines a ‘big picture’ approach to water management “as a public resource for the good of all New Zealanders” with the ‘trickle down’ role of local bodies to express and plan for the needs of their communities.


Acknowledging that local authorities have differing needs and priorities the council is arguing that a “one size fits all “approach to water allocation and management is no longer appropriate.


Water management plans must consider the needs of future generations and

the possibility that climate change and population growth could impact on the sustainability of the resource, the council argues.


“Although priority should be given to domestic and community water supplies and stock water the TLA (Territorial Local Authority) should be able to demonstrate that demand is managed in such a way that the water is used efficiently.”


There was also a need to address “existing over-allocation” and to get away from the “first in first served” attitudes that still exist along with the expectation that water is still a free commodity.


The submission calls for “excellent demand management” and the need for more user and public education.


Other water management issues to be considered around regional and district plans should include the potential impacts of development on rivers, wetlands and lakes; sufficiently “strong” provisions to prevent “inappropriate development” and a review of the criteria for what is an outstanding natural place.


The council considered that the four wellbeings – social, cultural, environmental and economic – should be taken into account when volumes of water are being allocated.