LGNZ Welcomes Proposed Freshwater Amendments

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is pleased to see the Government’s proposals targeted at lifting water quality with proposed amendments to The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM).

Submissions have closed on the amendments which introduce new minimum standards for water quality.

Managing freshwater resource is a significant and challenging area for regional and unitary councils because there are competing demands on a resource that is scarce in some parts of the country.

Water quality is of great concern to all communities and LGNZ supports the overall direction of the amendments to the NPSFM, which provide a new tool for communities to work together with iwi and with stakeholders.

“The amendments will reduce litigation by giving certainty on some matters that are currently contentious. This is important for all stakeholders,” LGNZ Regional Sector Chair Fran Wilde says.

“We support the inclusion of Te Mana o te Wai as part of the NPSFM amendments because it represents an important aspiration and an opportunity for iwi and local communities to sit down together in working out the detail.”

New minimum standards for water quality could require some water infrastructure upgrades for which territorial authorities will need to plan.

“LGNZ is developing a nationwide framework of data on drinking, wastewater and stormwater services and assets around the country as part of our 3 Waters project and this work will be important in understanding the scale of infrastructure investment needed,” LGNZ President Lawrence Yule says.

“Where the costs of upgrades are onerous as a result of the new standards, we would hope to see central government consider sharing the costs.”

Providing New Zealanders with optimum water quality is a priority for LGNZ and communities. We look forward to working with central government on implementing these amendments.

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