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Council’s new approach to looking after the beds of rivers and lakes in Tasman
19 June 2009
Michael Higgins, chair of the Council’s Environment and Planning Committee, is pleased to announce the commencement of public consultation on the final part of the Tasman Resource Management Plan which deals with activities in rivers and lakes in the Tasman District.
Councillor Higgins notes that this is the first time since the 1990s that the Council has engaged with the community in considering the management of activities in the beds of rivers and lakes. “We want people who use rivers and lakes to be involved in their management,” he says.
A range of topics is covered in the draft Part IV of the Plan and the impact of some of the provisions contained may be significant for a wide range of landowners and other stakeholders.
“Until now, existing regulations have meant that there are virtually no activities that can be carried out in a river without consent,” says Cr Higgins. This part of the Plan will enable minor activities to be generally permitted and will set performance standards for those activities. The part also regulates other more significant bed activities, to clarify how such consents may be decided.
Among the things addressed in this part of the Plan are the placing of structures like culverts, bridges and dams in rivers and streams; disturbances of the river bed for activities such as mining, gravel extraction and river erosion control; vehicles and stock movements across the beds; and some boating activities on the surface of rivers.
Part IV will also recognise Council’s river management role to maintain safe and efficient floodways and maintain integrity of adjacent groundwater.
Cr Higgins wants to continue the good working relationships with landowners in river catchments. He is keen to ensure the community continues to maintain instream values today and make sure they are also available for the future.
Council also wishes to consult on proposals to deal with contamination effects related to activities carried out in rivers, and on how the water quality of rivers needs to be provided for.
The Council is particularly keen to acknowledge existing initiatives being carried out by landowners and community groups like those in the Sherry and Aorere catchments. “Council wants to support and encourage this grass roots approach to sustainable resource management,” says Cr Higgins.
Up till now, Council has worked directly with landowners and the dairy industry to provide information and assistance about management of streams on farms. The Council intends to continue providing information and financial incentives for landowners seeking to reduce impacts of land use activities on water quality. Fencing riparian margins and wetlands are also encouraged and subsidised by Council.
The Council will provide a number of opportunities for people to hear about or discuss the management proposals for Part IV of the Plan. It will carry out targeted meetings with stakeholder groups and also hold a number of Open Days at various locations around the district where staff and councillors will be available to talk about the proposals and answer any questions. Details of the upcoming meetings can be found in future copies of Newsline.
For further information contact Mary-Anne Baker, ph: 03 543 8486, e: mary-anne.baker@tdc.govt.nz or
Michael Higgins, ph: 03 541 8629, e: michael.higgins@tdc.govt.nz
Consultation on Part IV provisions for the TRMP
A draft document (Consultation Paper) that considers the management of activities carried out in the beds of rivers and lakes, and other details of the proposals for Part IV including a summary document (Consultation Summary) is available at council offices or on the TRMP webpage. Click here ...
Public meetings to discuss the Council's proposal will be held around the district - watch Newsline for further details or click here to view the meeting timetable. The meeting will involve a short presentation by staff followed by an opportunity to discuss specific issues with staff and councillors.
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