Freshwater Plan Change 2007
Operative 5 June 2007
Nelson's Freshwater Plan Change covers activities and structures in the beds of rivers, lakes and wetlands, as well as water takes, and water quality.
These provisions became operative on 5 June 2007. ‘Operative’ means all the public consultation is complete and no further changes will be made to it. The Freshwater Plan Change is integrated into the Nelson Resource Management Plan.
Implications of the Freshwater Plan Change
The rules in the Plan Change affect anyone who wishes to:
- disturb, install a structure, or extract material in river beds
- discharge contaminants into rivers, or
- take water from them.
- The provisions also apply to wetlands and lakes.
- The sectors most likely to be affected by the provisions are Nelson’s rural landowners and residents, land developers and contractors.
Consents
Anyone unsure about whether they require a consent for an activity affecting the freshwater environment can telephone the duty planning line on +64 3 546 0357.
Stream enhancement
The Council provides support for people in rural areas who wish to re-vegetate and fence river margins, as well as help with pest management. If anyone would like to discuss how the Council can assist with these types of projects, please phone the Land Management Adviser on +64 3 546 0308.
Viewing the Freshwater Plan Change
The Freshwater Plan Change is integrated in the Nelson Resource Management Plan. The objectives, policies, and methods are in Chapter 5, District Wide Objectives (DO17 to DO20) and the Freshwater rules are in Appendix 29.
Additional Information
For information on matters covered in the Freshwater Plan Change, please call into the Council Offices, Planning Counter, Ground Floor, 110 Trafalgar St.
You can also email the Planning Adviser or phone +64 3 546 0200
Freshwater Implementation Programme
Progressive Implementation Programme
Under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (NPS-FM) Council is required to have a Progressive Implementation Programme (PIP). The PIP defines phases for implementation of the NPS-FM, and includes a summary of actions and deadlines. Council is implementing the NPS-FM through the development of the freshwater section of the Nelson Plan.
Nelson City Council’s PIP is provided in the table below.
Phase | Summary of Actions | Calendar Year |
|---|---|---|
Collaborative policy development | The Freshwater Working Groups and the Iwi Working Group continue to meet regularly to: confirm the values and objectives for each freshwater management unit.determine freshwater attributes.input into the limit setting process for each of the attributes.provide feedback on draft objectives, policies and methods.The Whakamahere Whakatu Nelson Plan freshwater policy provisions are developed with the involvement of Council, iwi, freshwater working groups and independent experts and scientists. | 2016 - 2021 |
Regional Policy Statement provisions | A draft of the regional policy statement provisions for inclusion in the Whakamahere Whakatu Nelson Plan is publicly released for comment | mid 2016 |
Public consultation | Council seeks feedback from the public on the draft Whakamahere Whakatu Nelson Plan freshwater provisions as part of draft Nelson Plan consultation. | 2020 |
Whakamahere Whakatu – Nelson Plan | Development of plan provisions for the freshwater chapter. The plan will include: freshwater values, attributes, limits and targets; adopt an integrated approach and recognise cumulative effects; manage takes and discharges; manage allocation and avoid over-allocation; manage land use and co-ordinate growth and infrastructure; | 2016 - 2021 |
Public notification of Whakamahere Whakatu Nelson Plan including freshwater chapter. | 2021 | |
Decisions on Plan review | Council hears and considers submissions and makes decisions as part of the Nelson Plan. | 2021 - 2023 |
Download a copy of the Progressive Implementation Programme
2016 Report on Implementation
The NPS-FM requires Council to publicly report, every year, on the extent to which the PIP has been implemented. You can see what we achieved during 2016 here: 2016 Report on Implementation
Public Notice Of Progressive Implementation Programme
Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) National Policy Statement For Freshwater Management 2017 (NPS-FM)
The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (amended 2017) requires local authorities to safeguard freshwater ecosystems by sustainably managing freshwater quality and the use of water. Nelson City Council is required under the NPS-FM to publicly notify a programme of time-limited stages for implementing the NPS-FM, known as a Progressive Implementation Programme (PIP). The programme includes a summary of actions and deadlines for NPS-FM implementation.
Council adopted its first PIP in December 2015 and second PIP in October 2017. Implementation of the PIP will be achieved through the freshwater chapter of the Nelson Plan, Nelson’s second-generation resource management plan.
At its meeting on 21 February 2019, Council resolved to adopt an updated PIP which aligns with a revised timeframe for the preparation of the Nelson Plan. Council hereby gives public notice of its revised Progressive Implementation Programme for implementing the NPS-FM.
