Councillors Request Delay from Environment Court
The Waikato Regional Council has formally requested additional time from the Environment Court to commission an economic impact study before making a decision on a water quality plan change.
Concerns Raised by New Councillors
Four newly elected regional councillors, including Waipā King Country Ward representatives Garry Reymer and Liz Stolwyk, brought up worries about the potential financial impact of Plan Change One during the council’s recent meeting. The plan is estimated to cost the region up to $5 billion.
"Plan Change One could cost the region $5 billion."
The plan aims to implement extensive regulations for agricultural land use to enhance freshwater quality in the Waikato and Waipā river catchments. It covers roughly 10,000 properties spanning 1.1 million hectares.
Council's Response and Next Steps
Council chief executive Chris McLay was instructed to direct legal counsel to request a two to three month extension from the court. This delay will allow time to prepare a new economic impact assessment regarding the plan’s implementation.
The motion to seek the delay was moved by second-term councillor Ben Dunbar-Smith and supported by Gary McGuire, who expressed concern that farmers might be unfairly targeted by the new rules.
Photo Credit
Photo by Chris Gardner shows new Waikato Regional Council members Gary McGuire, Liz Stolwyk, Garry Reymer, and Keith Holmes awaiting the court's decision.
"Farmers were being unfairly targeted."
Author's summary: The Waikato Regional Council seeks a postponement from the Environment Court to conduct an economic analysis amid concerns new water quality rules may impose significant costs on the region.