Protecting and improving freshwater

We are improving freshwater outcomes by partnering with Ngāi Tahu and the community to take on-the-ground action and implement the Government’s new national direction.

What we heard about freshwater management

Submissions on freshwater management raised significant concerns about water quality and quantity, as well as the investment needed to meet the requirements of the Government’s Essential Freshwater package. Through the activities in this plan, Council will consider a range of options to develop and implement a freshwater regulatory framework.

Council’s decision

• Implementing new freshwater regulations
  We will begin the engagement and planning process to implement the Essential Freshwater package now and it will continue over the next three years. In 2024, we will notify updates to a Freshwater Regulatory Framework, Regional Policy Statement and Coastal Environment Policy in 2024. By notifying these plans together we can save money.
• Setting up a Community Engagement Fund
  We have established a new Community Engagement Fund, which replaces the Immediate Steps fund. The new fund will be administered by the ten Water Zone Committees and direct spending to environmental projects in their zones. Council have committed to funding $0.5M of projects in year 1 ($50,000 for each Zone Committee), $0.75M in year 2 and $1M in year 3.

Hekeao Hinds Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) project

The Hekeao Hinds Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) project is an environmental infrastructure project that aims to improve water quantity, quality and ecosystem health on the Hinds Plains, alongside improved land-use practices required to meet environmental outcomes.

What we heard about the MAR project

During consultation, we asked people in the Ashburton community to comment on whether they would be prepared to pay an ongoing targeted rate to continue enhancing this infrastructure.

Out of 132 submitters from the Ashburton district more that 89% wanted to see the Hekeao Hinds MAR project continue in year 2 of the Long-Term Plan.

Council’s decision

Council made provision for the enhancement of this project in year 2 of the Long-Term Plan, through a targeted rate applied to the local Hinds Plains community between the Ashburton and Rangitata rivers.