ORC striving to protect regionally significant wetlands

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) is seeking public feedback on a proposal to ensure remaining regionally significant wetlands are protected.

The council wants to change the Regional Water Plan to preserve the values of these wetlands, and is holding a series of public meetings throughout the region to explain the proposal.

Otago once had extensive areas of wetland, many of which were drained and reclaimed to make way for farms and settlements.

While there is still a diversity of wetlands in the region, many have been lost or degraded over the years.

ORC director of policy and resource planning Fraser McRae said the existing wetlands had remained because past and present land use was compatible with the values those wetlands support, or their inaccessible location.

The important functions of wetlands were now more valued by the community and many landholders alike.

However, ORC is concerned that some of the region's remaining wetlands may still be lost or modified through human activities including drainage, physical disturbance, and introduction or removal of vegetation.

Mr McRae said many in the community were now more focused on the need for conserving remaining wetlands. The Regional Policy Statement for Otago reflects this by providing for the protection of Otago's significant wetlands, and their associated values, from the adverse effects of any activity.

"The proposed plan change aims to give certainty to all of those who are looking at undertaking various land use activities that are likely to impact on regionally significant wetlands," Mr McRae said.

"We are also reinforcing through this proposed plan change that the destruction of wetlands is not something that is to be encouraged or supported."

Meetings are to be held in Clinton, Waikouaiti, Ranfurly and Cromwell to discuss with the public changes that may be proposed to the Water Plan. All are welcome. The details for these meetings are:

• Waikouaiti Monday 16 August, 1-3pm, East Otago Events Centre
• Clinton Wednesday 18 August, 1-3pm, Clinton Community Centre
• Ranfurly Monday 23 August, 1-3pm, Ranfurly Rugby Club
• Cromwell Wednesday 25 August, 1-3pm, Cromwell Presbyterian Church

Part of the plan change process involves the development of a comprehensive inventory of maps for the wetlands, and discussion about the proposed rules.

"The consultation process will give the community an opportunity to look at the rules and assess whether they cater for their needs. If they don't, they could well be modified," Mr McRae said.

More details about the meetings, including the draft consultative document, are available at www.orc.govt.nz