On this page:
Waikato Regional Plan: Variation No. 6 - Water Allocation
Environment Waikato prepared and notified a Variation to its Regional Plan to manage the allocation and use of freshwater over all of the Waikato region.
In recent times the method by which surface and ground water is allocated in the region has come under increasing scrutiny and sometimes criticism from both political and technical perspectives. Many stakeholders believe that Environment Waikato's water allocation policy framework as reflected in the Proposed Waikato Regional Plan was not designed to deal with current levels of demand or competition for water. Certainly in recent times, a number of issues have arisen that have stretched the organisation’s ability to respond proactively and appropriately to the demands being placed upon the region’s water supply.
Council decisions on submissions
The Variation was notified for submissions in late 2006. A Hearing Committee heard submissions over a number of weeks in Hamilton between December 2007 and March 2008. Council adopted the recommendations of the Hearing Committee in October 2008 as its decisions.
You can download a copy of the summary of decisions and a strikethrough of the variation showing council's decisions here.
Summary of council decisions
(60 kb, 8 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Strikethrough version of the Variation
(614 kb, 87 seconds to download, 56k modem) (incorporating changes made as a result of the Committee recommendations)
"Clean" version of the Variation (as amended by decisions)
(559 kb, 79 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Copies of the maps referred to in the Variation are available for viewing at our offices in Hamilton, Paeroa, Whitianga and Taupo.
Full versions of the council decisions are available in pdf format below:
Proposed Variation No.6 - Water Allocation Hearings Committee Report Volume 1
(1161 kb, 165 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Proposed Variation No.6 - Water Allocation Hearings Committee Report Volume 2
(2369 kb, 338 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Proposed Variation No.6 - Water Allocation Hearings Committee Report Volume 3
(5397 kb, 771 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Proposed Variation No.6 - Water Allocation Hearings Committee Report Recommendation version - Explanation of the approach taken in the Variation.
(11127 kb, 1589 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Appeals
Clause 14 of the First Schedule of the Resource Management Act (1991) provides rights for submitters to appeal the decisions of Council.
Thirty seven (37) notices of appeal were lodged with the Environment Court. The appeals are on all aspects of the decisions. Under s274 of the Resource Management Act 1991, parties who originally submitted to the variation or have an interest greater than the public generally have the opportunity to join to appeals. Many of the parties who lodged appeals in their own right have chosen to join to other appeals. There are a small number of other parties who have joined as interested parties.
Environment Waikato has produced a summary of appeals to assist readers by grouping all appeal points relating to a specific topic or provision together. which you can download here.
Waikato Regional Plan: Variation No.6 - Water Allocation - Appeals Report
(709 kb, 101 seconds to download, 56k modem)
This document is for reference only. The original notices of appeal should be relied upon for legal purposes. Please contact us if you would like a copy of any of the notices.
The appeals cover every aspect of Variation No. 6. The key issues arising from the appeals include:
- electricity generation versus water for irrigation;
- priority for water for domestic and municipal supply;
- s14(3)(b) takes and permitted activities for on farm use of water;
- area based permitted activity rules;
- iwi allocation of water for unspecified uses;
- the use of common expiry dates;
- transfer of water permits;
- Ground water takes;
- Temporary takes;
- Section 3.3.3 Policy 3 and Table 3-5;
- The consent status of Huntly Power Station;
- Use of water;
- Various definitions.
What happens next?
Over the coming months Environment Waikato will have discussions with appellants as individuals, industry groups or on an issue basis, to clarify issues and to explore means of resolving the appeals. It is most likely that formal Environment Court mediation will be held in respect of some matters where it is likely that those matters can be resolved. The timing for any such mediations is still to be discussed with the appellants and the Environment Court.
Want to know more?
If you have any questions about the variation or the consultation process please call us on 0800 800 401 or email us at policy@ew.govt.nz.
The following documents have been removed from these pages:
- the Variation as notified (October 2006),
- the s32 analysis as notified (October 2006),
- Summary of Submissions (February 2007)
- the Staff report and recommendations on submissions (November 2007).
If you would like copies of any of these reports, please contact us.