Land and Water Forum Proposes Sensible Solutions For Water Management

WELLINGTON 15 November 2012 “Eminently sensible proposals for improving freshwater management and the contribution it could potentially make to the economy are contained in today’s third report released by the Land and Water Forum,” New Zealand’s chief executive Murray Gibb said.

“Water New Zealand supports and endorses the Forum’s solid recommendations on how freshwater can be managed within objectives and limits and covers all water, both urban and rural.

“We agree with the Forum’s view that more of the resource can be used to grow the economy without trading-off environmental and social benefits.

“The Forum suggests these three effects can all be enhanced by using water more efficiently, the installation of infrastructure, application of science-based solutions and leveraging environmental performance in export markets. Implementing these recommendations would be a real step forward,” Murray Gibb said.

“This report includes welcome proposals for working within limits set for both the capacity of all waterways to absorb nutrients, sediment and microorganisms, and for the amount of water that can be abstracted from them.

“The parties who came together as the Land and Water Forum should be congratulated as many of them had competing or opposing interests in water management. It is significant that such a diverse group came together, put self-interest aside and proposed these innovative solutions through a very comprehensive set of recommendations,” he said.

“This report follows two others produced by the Forum in the past two years. The first provided a blueprint for improved management overall. The second suggested ‘front ending’ collaborative processes for drawing up rules for managing the resource. This third report completes the work asked of the Forum when it was set up.”

“Along with other work currently underway it will provide the Government with a comprehensive set of proposals to reform resource management and water governance,” said Mr Gibb.

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Water New Zealand is an independent not for profit association of water professionals and organisations. It is the country's largest water industry body, providing leadership and support in the water sector through advocacy, collaboration and professional development. Members are drawn from all areas of the water management industry including regional councils and territorial authorities, consultants, suppliers, government agencies and scientists. See www.waternz.org.nz for more information.

ENDS

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