Regional council gets extension from government

THE Otago Regional Council has been granted a twoweek extension on its report to the environment minister on the implications of proceeding with Otago’s land and water plan — and not taking government advice to pause its present work on the plan.

Originally due yesterday, the council now has until May 15 to provide Environment Minister Penny Simmonds with its accounting of the costs, benefits and implications of proceeding with notification of the plan ahead of a changed national policy statement for freshwater management, expected in up to two years’ time.

Ms Simmonds, along with other government ministers, warned the council against implementing a land and water plan that relied on a national policy statement that would soon no longer exist. Nevertheless, in March, councillors voted 75 to delay the notification of the plan by only four months, from June 30 to October 31, just enough time to incorporate highlevel feedback into the plan and to write the now required report for the minister.

A spokesman for Ms Simmonds said the minister had requested the report to ensure that, where possible, the plan change process aligned with the review of the national policy statement in a way that avoided the risk of duplication and additional costs on ratepayers.

‘‘The information provided will be carefully considered and further engagement with the council may follow,’’ the spokesman said.

Council chief executive Richard Saunders said Ms Simmonds granted the twoweek extension for the report to align with council meetings.

A draft of the report would be included in the May 8 public meeting agenda when it would be reviewed by councillors. He said the minister had not ‘‘at this stage’’ made it clear how she would assess the council report, nor what her next steps would be upon receipt of the report.

Chairwoman Cr Gretchen Robertson said if Ms Simmonds had any further questions ‘‘ORC welcomes this’’.

‘‘We're all for open communication. Setting Otago up to thrive relies on healthy freshwater and both central and local government understand that and are keen to work together.’’ Cr Gary Kelliher, who voted against the short delay, said he expected the report to be ‘‘further determination by staff to push on with the previous government’s agenda’’.

‘‘They know seven councillors will support it, and they have no regard for the economy of Otago. ‘‘I really hope the minister’s further engagement is directing the council to rein in its ridiculous rates rises, and draft a plan that provides for Otago’s economy alongside the environment. ‘‘But unless the minister spells this out word for word, staff and the majority of councillors will keep snubbing their noses at her.’’

Cr Kevin Malcolm said after the government decided to review freshwater farm plan regulations, council staff elected to pause the organisation’s internal work on farm plans until the government provided more certainty about the future system, timeframes and potential changes.

‘‘If council had taken the same pragmatic approach to our land and water regional plan, we wouldn’t be wasting the minister’s time and resources.

‘‘She should be, rightfully, upset,’’ he said.