Dean hits out at threat to freshwater management plan

A major plan change setting out new rules for freshwater management in Canterbury could be superseded by new government proposals, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean says.

Environment Canterbury’s Proposed Plan Change 7 (PC7) to the Land and Canterbury Water Regional Plan, which sets new water quality limits, and has a particular focus on the Orari-Temuka-Opihi-Pareora (Otop) and Waimakariri catchments, finished its public submissions stage yesterday.

However, the plan has coincided with the Government’s proposed freshwater National Policy Statement (NPS), which sets out a swathe of new regulations aimed at improving water quality for rivers, lakes and wetlands within five years, and fix them within a generation.

The overlap means PC7 could be superseded, Dean says.

‘‘ECan has put a lot of time and ratepayers’ money into PC7. The submission deadline has come right in the middle of calving, yet many farmers would have made sure to respond, such is the nature of their concern over the implications of these changes on their livelihood and ability to stay on the land,’’ Dean said.

‘‘I question whether this time, effort and stress on behalf of farmers will be wasted if the Government pushes through its freshwater proposals which could force another plan change for ECan.

‘‘An intolerable amount of pressure is falling on the shoulders of South Canterbury farmers at the moment. They feel like they are under attack and it’s not hard to see why. The Government is wheeling out policy that would have people believe that farmers are the scourge of the environment, which is unfair and just plain wrong.’’

However, a spokesman for Environment Minister David Parker said the effort would not be wasted.

‘‘The proposals that are out for consultation build on the existing Freshwater NPS. If implemented, they will require a step up in some places to achieve freshwater quality targets,’’ he said. ‘‘Councils will need to assess the changes and upgrade their plans where necessary by 2025.’’

ECan councillor Peter Skelton has previously told Stuff that there would be a review of PC7 about five years after its implementation.

The Environment Ministry is hosting a public meeting at 2 George St, Timaru on September 19, from noon, about the proposed changes to freshwater management. The meeting will be chaired by Minister for Agriculture Damien O’Connor.

The Environment Ministry is hosting a public meeting in Timaru on September 19