Proposals by the Otago Regional Council to add considerable
areas to the regionally significant wetlands in Otago
attracted interest at a recent public meeting at Waikouaiti.
Under the proposals, water allocation and use would be
integrated with surface and groundwater management.
Groundwater takes would be limited.
A number of the 30 people who attended the meeting were
concerned it would be harder to make any alteration to their
wetland areas.
The Otago Regional Council's policies seek to maintain and
enhance the values these wetlands support for present and
future generations. This objective may be achieved when
considering a resource consent for particular water or land
use.
The boundaries of some wetlands will be significantly
extended under the proposal. The Pleasant River mouth wetland
boundary near Palmerston will more than double.
The plan change was designed to preserve regional ground
water, stream flows and recreational use, Otago Regional
Council analyst Andrew Sullivan said. Pressure would be eased
on the wetlands and a planning framework would be provided.
The changes would fill the gaps in the water rules, Otago
Regional Council analyst Anja McAlevey told the meeting.
Taking a small amount of water from a stream may deplete the
wetland. Consent must be sought if a significant wetland will
be adversely affected.
People concerned whether or not there could be adverse
effects on wetland values should contact the Otago Regional
Council, Mr Sullivan said.
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