Local Government NZ Regional Sector Group agrees with OAG freshwater report findings

This is a useful report for regional councils. We always value independent assessments of this nature and agree with the Auditor General that managing freshwater needs an integrated approach.

The expansion of the diary sector, in particular, has been a major economic gain for New Zealand but has presented environmental challenges in controlling diffuse source runoff.
The sector agrees with AG’s four recommendations around collaboration, sharing knowledge, a holistic approach and the linking of scientific monitoring to freshwater management planning.

As a regional sector, we currently have a series of major work streams underway to identify best practice that we can all use to enable effective and agile responses.

We also endorse the need for science to underpin policy and there is considerable regional council resource going into this area.

Ultimately, the responsibility for diffuse discharges (which are a major focus of the report) rests with those doing the discharging. As well as our own policy development, we are working actively with rural sector leaders to make sure there is strong industry support for new approaches and, where possible, industry-led initiatives.

ENDS

© Scoop Media