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Mr Reed gave a presentation which
explained the three main plan change options for consideration by the
Committee and also outlined the key implementation issues.
The Committee noted the three main plan
change options which were:
Option 1: Limit plan
change scope to the upper Mohaka above Glenfalls monitoring site (State
Highway 5).
Option 2: Extend the plan
change to the whole Mohaka catchment;
Option
3: Extend the plan change to the whole Mohaka catchment, plus the
neighbouring Waihua and Waikari catchments.
The Committee discussed the options and the issues associated with
each option, noted the staff recommendation that option 2 was the preferred
option and that the planned completion date was December 2012.
Responding to a question, Mr Maxwell confirmed there
were ongoing discussions with bordering Councils on the delineation of
boundaries and other joint activities.
Concern was expressed that work had been undertaken
in the Tararua for several years and further delays in order to cover all
catchments was not favourable.
Questions were asked about the scope of the plan
change, the meaning of ‘integrated’ and whether consideration of terrestrial
values were included in the scope.
It was noted that the Plan Change process was just
one of the interventions contained in the suite and that the Plan Change will
not be the only answer.
Staff advised that the problem definition was the
adverse effects water quality from the land use impacts in the catchment.
Integrated resource management extends to including those resources and
resource use that impacts on water quality, hence managing water quantity setting
water quality limits and managing the impacts of land use. Riparian management
is included as it influences water quality.
The Committee confirmed the scope of the Plan Change
as having a water quality focus to ensure that timeframes were not further
delayed. The Committee also noted that the proposed preparation of a
Regional Biodiversity Strategy would set the framework for priorities and
strategies and could be subsequently included in a statutory plan if
necessary.
Following further discussion on funding implications
for Council around a broader scoped Plan change, the Committee requested
staff prepare a report to be presented back to Council.
In moving the recommendation, Councillor Scott
expressed concern about costs and the impacts on the ratepayers. She noted
that Option 2 was a more holistic approach however the plan change for
Taharua would be deferred resulting in a more holistic outcome in the long
run. It was important for “hot spots” to continue to be worked on and
contributions from the Taharua Stakeholder’s Group be noted.
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