Minister has doubts over ORC abilities

THE Environment Minister has joined the chorus of voices expressing a lack of confidence in the Otago Regional Council’s ability to finish a major water project.

Last week, the Otago Daily

Times reported on findings from an independent review of the council’s consent systems.

Among other issues, it found the council to be ‘‘ill prepared’’ to process the hundreds of deemed water permits in the region which need to be replaced with consents by 2021.

A deemed permit was an original mining privilege that was deemed to be a water permit when the Resource Management Act became law in 1991

Several interested parties were troubled by the findings, including Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan.

The regional council released the consent document after it was obtained unofficially.

After the information was made public, Environment Minister David Parker said he was concerned the council’s processes would not enable the work to be completed in time.

His expectation was a process should be implemented so minimum flows were set ahead of the deemed permit expiry date, but this was uncertain.

He received correspondence which implied the council was focusing too much on economic rather than environmental concerns, he said.

However, he was not personally privy to the council decisionmaking processes so could not comment on it specifically.

Mr Cadogan has pushed for the timeframes to be extended to 2025.

Mr Parker did not believe an extension was warranted.

‘‘This issue has been outstanding for 30 years.’’

At a meeting with chief executive Sarah Gardner late last month, Mr Parker reinstated an offer for the ministry to support council staff in helping it meet the timeframe.

He also offered to take the process for plan changes straight to the Environment Court, as they would likely be challenged anyway.

Council chairman Stephen Woodhead welcomed the minister’s interest and support.

It was too early to speculate on possible next steps, he said.

The council was appointing a technical advisory group and community reference group to talk to Manuherikia community.

‘‘We are very keen to ensure that community stakeholders have their say about the catchment, and that these groups identify sensible solutions to enable an enduring water management framework.

‘‘Water is ORC’s No 1 priority and we are making steady progress on the challenges in this area, which include replacing deemed permits and notifying minimum flow plan changes,’’ Mr Woodhead said.

❛ This issue has been outstanding for 30 years