Dunne Cautiously Welcomes Water Quality Statement

UnitedFuture Leader Hon Peter Dunne cautiously welcomes today’s National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management.

“UnitedFuture has long been an advocate for supporting all Kiwis who like to spend time in our outdoors.

“Improving our freshwater quality is an important part of that.

“Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction, but it is no time to be complacent” said Mr Dunne.

The National Policy Statement requires that regional councils meet a range of measures regarding freshwater quality.

The two major priorities are for fresh water to have life supporting capacity and for people’s health to be safeguarded if they are wading or boating in freshwater.

“I would like to see that threshold raised to require most freshwater bodies be safe for swimming.

“But we need to make sure fresh water is safe for recreation sooner rather than later” said Mr Dunne.

“We need to recognise that local authorities are charged with critical responsibility and it is imperative we ensure they have sufficient resources to meet that charge.

“It is time we looked at a resource rental for commercial water takes and pollution tariff for any discharge into waterways” Mr Dunne said.

Ends

© Scoop Media