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Northland Regional Council says it’s received mixed feedback among the 577 responses received on its draft Freshwater Plan Change.
The broad range of views reflected in responses, including those lodged on the Wai It Matters consultation website came as “no surprise”, council chair Geoff Crawford says.
“We thank everyone who took the time to participate in our webinars, hui, and drop-in events, as well as providing feedback.”
Responses came from farmers, landowners who had seen the benefits of protecting and restoring waterbodies, those struggling to make a living from their land, tāngata whenua, conservationists, young people concerned about the future of waterways, and generations who have seen changes to water quality.
“Most people were concerned about poor freshwater health in our region,” Crawford says. “They wanted to be able to swim in, and drink from, our waterways safely. However, many farmers and landowners were concerned about how the costs of making change would impact the viability of making a living from the land, and they noted the need for financial and technical support.”
Crawford says strong themes came through from tāngata whenua, including their roles and responsibilities as rangatira and kaitiaki over their lands and water, and their sorrow and frustration with declining freshwater health and ecosystems.
“Tāngata whenua voiced concerns about the constraints and challenges Māori landowners face. Many were also concerned about the impact of climate change on the health and availability of freshwater, and the need for more work to be done on water supply security.”
Council will use public feedback on the draft to help shape the proposed plan, and there will be an opportunity for public submission at a hearing when it is released.
Crawford stressed council would await clarity on national freshwater policy before developing the proposed plan.
“The government has said it intends to revise national freshwater policy, and it has extended the deadline for councils to release their proposed freshwater plans until 2027. It makes sense to delay the release of our proposed plan until the national policy direction is clear, so our proposed plan reflects any revised policy.”
View the feedback at www.wai-it-matters.nz
