Land and Freshwater Plan Change

Giving effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management -read more about our land and freshwater plan change process.

Visit Shape Tasman where consultation relating to this plan change will be based.(external link)

This plan change aims to implement the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM)(external link) in the Tasman region. Despite recent government signals on freshwater policy reform, Tasman is continuing its freshwater policy review especially as freshwater is a key issue for Tasman, iwi and our communities.  The RMA has an obligation to review plans every 10 years and the Tasman Resource Management Plan, including freshwater is up for review.  The current work is a required input into the plan review process as well as implementing the NPS-FM and we will carry on. If this changes we will let you know.

Scope of Plan Change

The land and freshwater plan change covers all activities related to freshwater management, and may affect water take permits and discharge permits, as well as urban and rural land uses and land management practices where these affect the flow or quality of water or the health of waterbodies and freshwater ecosystems.

The plan development will take an integrated, ki uta ki tai (mountains to the sea) approach, that recognises the connectivity between surface water and groundwater, between freshwater, land and coastal receiving environments, and the relationships people have with freshwater.

Hear more about it 

[MP3, 21 MB]

Click the image to hear the interview.

Fresh FM’s Grant Knowles talks to Lisa McGlinchey TDC Principal Planner - Environmental Policy about the draft Land and Freshwater Plan Change 84. The plan change aims to address priority land and freshwater management issues in the region, including introducing provisions to support the Water Conservation Order for Te Waikoropupū Springs. The interview went to air Friday 7 June.

Plan change process and timeline

The land and freshwater plan change (LFPC) development process is determined by the NPS-FM and Resource Management Act.

In developing the plan change the Council must engage with communities and tangata whenua at each step of the National Objective Framework (NOF). This work is underway with the aim of producing a draft plan change for public feedback in late 2024. 

The key steps of these processes are summarised in the diagram below. 

Engagement Summary

We have been discussing the land and freshwater plan change at various times with the Tasman community since 2020. Key outputs so far can be accessed below and a summary of each engagement round and a summary of feedback received is provided in the sections below.

Contact

For more information contact [email protected] or phone 03 543 8400.

Helpful advice for the rural community on the Essential Freshwater Package can be found in our Rural Hub section.

Related pages