Regional Plan: Water for Otago

The Otago Regional Council is initiating changes to the Regional Plan: Water for Otago (Water Plan). Proposed Plan Change 4B (Groundwater allocation) will seek to clarify and strengthen the provisions of the operative Water Plan for managing groundwater and avoiding over-allocation in Otago’s aquifers, without changing their intent. Other aspects of the proposal include establishing a new Schedule 4E which sets out matters to be considered when calculating the mean annual recharge for an aquifer.

This proposed plan change will have legal effect from 17 May 2014 in accordance with Section 86B(3) of the Resource Management Act 1991.

The Proposed Plan Change and Section 32 evaluation report on alternatives, benefits and costs are available at:

• Otago Regional Council offices at:
  70 Stafford Street, Dunedin
  William Fraser Building, Dunorling Street, Alexandra
  The Station, First Floor, corner Shotover and Camp Streets, Queenstown
• All public libraries and city and district council offices throughout Otago
• Website - view here
  
  

Any person may make a submission on the proposal.
You may do so by sending a written submission to the Otago Regional Council. The submission must be in Form 5 and must state whether you wish to be heard in support of your submission. Copies of Form 5 are available by phoning the Council on 0800 474 082, downloading form 5 below or you may also make an online submission.

Post to: Otago Regional Council, Private Bag 1954, Dunedin 9054
Fax to: (03) 479 0015
Email to: policy@orc.govt.nz
Deliver to:

• 70 Stafford Street, Dunedin
• Dunorling Street, Alexandra
• The Station, First Floor, Corner Shotover and Camp Streets, Queenstown

Online: Online Submission form

The closing date for submissions is 5pm, Tuesday 17 June 2014.

The process for public participation in consideration of the proposed plan change under the Resource Management Act 1991 is:

• After the submission closing date, the Council prepares a summary of all decisions requested by persons making submissions, and this summary is publicly notified;
• Certain persons may make a further submission in support of, or in opposition to, the submissions already made;
• You may speak in support of your submission at a hearing;
• The Council gives notice of its decision on the proposal, including its reasons for accepting or rejecting any submissions; and
• Every person making a submission has the right of appeal to the Environment Court.
  
  

Fraser McRae
Director Policy Planning & Resource Management