The Government's announcement it will work with regional councils to implement changes to freshwater management policy has been welcomed by Otago.
Environment Minister Amy Adams and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said on July 10 the Government had finalised the first stage of a plan to improve water quality. A discussion document had been released in March, based on recommendations from the Land and Water Forum.
A new freshwater collaborative planning option would be created, giving communities and iwi a greater say in how their local waterways should be managed.
''This means that rather than a council drafting a plan and then asking for comment, a representative group of stakeholders drawn from the community will be able to work together on a plan,'' the ministers said.
''Getting agreement up front in the planning process will mean fewer debates and less litigation further down the track, which will ultimately save time and money, and lead to better overall outcomes.''
Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said he was pleased to see the Government acknowledge that improving the freshwater management system would take time and resources.
''We are comfortable with the proposed introduction of an option for collaborative planning, as we have been using a range of community collaboration processes ourselves in recent years in relation to developing water allocation and minimum flow-setting and water quality plan changes.
''This has involved considerable discussion and liaison with stakeholders throughout our community who are interested in freshwater management.''
The ''National Objectives Framework'' would guide council decision-making on the levels to which catchments should be managed and help prioritise catchment planning.
''The framework is a key tool and getting it right is imperative,'' Mr Woodhead said.
''ORC will welcome formal consultation on the details of the regulations that will be developed following the passing of the legislation.''
His only criticism of the announcement was that the Government had not yet looked at the process for imposing water conservation orders.
''Water conservation orders are an outdated mechanism, and have been superseded by the RMA,'' he said.