Report praises ES efforts

An Office of the Auditor General’s report on Environment Southland says it needs to use all of its tools to act and identify on resource consent breaches.

While the report praises the work the regional council is doing, Southland Fish and Game says the report does not go into enough detail to determine if the council is effectively monitoring permitted activities.

The report makes several recommendations, including that the council use a full range of appropriate compliance, monitoring, and enforcement tools to effectively identify and act on material non-compliance with the Resource Management Act 1991.

Environment Southland acting chief executive Vin Smith said it (thereport) acknowledged the significant effort and progress made by the council and the community in dealing with the challenges of managing freshwater resources.

‘‘Although there is still a lot of work ahead of us their recognition is a reflection of the important work that has been and will continue to be undertaken for the benefit of our community,’’ Smith said.

The Office of the Auditor General audited Waikato, Taranaki and Horizons regional councils as well as ES in 2011 for its approaches to managing the effects of land use on freshwater quality. The councils were audited again and the results released yesterday.

Southland Fish and Game manager Zane Moss said in 2011 the OAG reported that ES staff did not consider they were resourced enough to monitor compliance with permitted activity rules. ‘‘Perhaps that is why they have only issued two infringements and one prosecution over the last six years for intensive winter grazing,’’ Moss said.

‘‘Their recognition is a reflection of the important work . . . undertaken.’’

Vin Smith, Environment Southland