Media Release

Southland’s Big 3 Adopted for Consultation

Environment Southland’s Long-term Plan 2015-25 consultation document, Southland’s Big 3 was adopted by the Council this morning (16/4) and will be publicly notified on 18 April.

Its name, Southland’s Big 3, refers to our biggest challenges. The 24-page document forms the basis for consultation on the significant issues, changes and the proposed budget for the next 10 years.

It has particular emphasis on the next three years when some work programmes will be ramped up, particularly for water quality, which is being supported by an extensive science programme. The science programme is a key part of the comprehensive three year research programme Environment Southland is undertaking. This is in preparation for the limit setting process required by the Government for water quality (discharges) and quantity (extractions). Environment Southland is taking a different tack to other regional councils by seeking to understand how the region’s natural systems interact, which will inform the Council’s policies and the community to help deliver Southland-specific solutions.

During the next three years it is proposed that both activity and expenditure will increase. In 2015/16, operating expenditure would increase by $1.596 million, which would be funded from a number of sources including a rates increase of $1.063m (7.74%) for that year. This equates to an average of $20 per household, although exact amounts will vary depending on individual property valuations. There is more detailed information about the work programmes, proposed budget and funding sources in Southland’s Big 3.

Southland’s Big 3 will be delivered to urban and rural letterboxes throughout Southland (25-30 April) and will be available, along with supporting information, from Environment Southland and online atwww.es.govt.nz from 18 April.

Feedback is encouraged and there are a number of ways people can submit their views:

Post: Private Bag 90116, Invercargill 9840

Deliver: Cnr North Road and Price Street, Invercargill

Email: service@es.govt.nz

Online: via www.es.govt.nz

The consultation period opens on Saturday 18 April and closes on Wednesday 20 May with a hearing scheduled for Friday 19 June 2015.

For more information people can call Environment Southland or talk to their local councillor.

ENDS

16/04/2015

© Scoop Media