Highest protection order for springs ‘a major step’

The applicants for an order to give the highest national protection to Golden Bay’s landmark freshwater springs say they have a lot of work to do over the 15-day appeal period.

After nearly two years, the Environmental Protection Authority this week released the Special Tribunal’s recommendations for the Water Conservation Order (WCO) for Te Waikoropupu¯ Springs.

Iwi Nga¯ ti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Trust has led the process with coapplicant Andrew Yuill, seeking the highest possible protection of the wa¯ hi tapu.

The co-applicants said they would not comment on the report until they had gone through all the details ‘‘with a fine-tooth comb’’.

Nga¯ti Tama Trustee Margie Little said it was important that they took the time to sit down, talk with the lawyers and Yuill, and come to a consensus.

The tribunal has recommended that the application for the WCO be granted over both the confined and unconfined Arthur Marble Aquifer, and over Te Waikoropupu¯ Springs. This includes the main spring, Dancing Sands Spring and Fish Creek Springs.

It also recommends that protection apply to the headwaters of the Takaka River and to its surface water tributaries, including the Waingaro River.

The draft order includes controls on water takes and discharges, to protect aquifer pressure and water quality.

The issues of significance and concern included water quality, pollution, E. coli, and nitrate levels in the water.

Yuill said the report was a ‘‘major and very welcome step’’ in a long journey.

Tasman District Council environment and planning manager Dennis Bush-King said the council had been continuing work on a Takaka freshwater plan change to the Tasman Resource Management Plan (TRMP).

Save Our Springs spokesman Kevin Moran said it was a ‘‘fantastic’’ draft order.

‘‘It will provide effective protection for Te Waikoropupu¯ Springs. The result brings hope to water protectors up and down Aotearoa. I feel deeply grateful.’’

However, he was concerned that a group associated with farming would appeal to delay the WCO’s implementation.