Policies

Implement the recommendations of the Regional Forum so that water quality is improved where it is poor and maintained where it is good.

Ensure that businesses are drought resilient by encouraging practises that value water and use it as efficiently as possible.

Ensure that minimum flows in rivers are set to protect river ecosystems while allowing efficient and effective water use for the economy.

Evaluate the regional forum's recommendations and adapt or implement them alongside national environmental standards and policy statements.

Design forward-looking water use and storage opportunities in line with changing climate, land use and urban development.

Promote urban connection with local waterways.

Encourage and enforce regulations which safeguard and minimise discharges into waterways, creeks and rivers.

Continue to support maximum flow patterns into the Waiau River.

Encourage water conservation and best practice by all users – urban and rural.

Increase efforts to prevent sediment run-off into waterways and the ocean.

Investigate back-up sources of water for emergency use for catchments already under too much pressure.

Encourage community awareness around everyone's role in minimising adverse effects on water quality.

Actively manage irrigation consents across whole catchments to prevent overuse.

Require Territorial Local Authorities to actively monitor discharges to water from industrial activities and sewerage discharges.

Discourage water-intensive industry and farming practices.

Strengthen requirements to protect river flows and water levels.

Support the repurposing of floodplains to protect water quality.