Water supply bylaw for consultation

A draft bylaw aimed at improving the council’s ability to manage demand on water supply schemes around the Queenstown Lakes District is available for public consultation. This follows a central government requirement that all councils review current bylaws.

“The existing Water Supply Demand Management Bylaw 1999 has now been reviewed and it’s proposed that the draft Water Supply Bylaw 2008, if approved, will take its place,” QLDC water services manager Garry McGraw said.

The proposed bylaw was based on the new Water Supply Model Bylaw prepared by New Zealand Standards and would provide the council with additional ways to manage the demand on water supply schemes, such as metering and restrictions.
“The model bylaw has been through an extensive review process and provides a really strong framework for developing a new bylaw that is consistent with national best practice,” Mr McGraw said.

Mr McGraw encouraged the community to consider how the proposed changes might affect them:
Under the draft bylaw, properties considered ‘high users’ would be classified as ‘extraordinary users’ and would be required to have a water meter. Examples of ‘extraordinary use’ included:

properties with a spa or swimming pool (larger than 10m3);
properties used for commercial, industrial, agricultural, horticultural, viticultural purposes;
the use of irrigation systems used to water section sizes greater than 1500 m2;
Reserves, golf courses and recreation facilities.

A full list of uses considered ‘extraordinary’ was available within the draft bylaw. Properties classified as ‘ordinary users’ may also be required to have a water meter if the council considered that water use has become excessive.
“The idea here is to protect community water supply infrastructure and to make it fairer for those who do their bit to conserve water,” Mr McGraw said. “In other words, if you use a high amount of water, you may need to pay your share for this precious resource.”

A statement of proposal and a full copy of the draft bylaw are available on the council website www.qldc.govt.nz or from council offices district-wide. Submissions were due at the council by 5pm on Monday, October 6, 2008.