Submissions
18 March 2005
Water Programme of Action
Ministry for the Environment
PO Box 10-362
Wellington
Dear Sir/Madam
1 Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is appreciative of the opportunity to comment on the public discussion paper “Freshwater for a sustainable future: issues and options”.
2 RWNZ recognises the increasing demands and impacts on New Zealand 's freshwater resources. The availability of water is essential for farming operations and rural communities and we therefore support a more strategic approach to the management of freshwater resources.
3 The issues addressed in the discussion document are well encapsulated however we feel there is a further issue that deserve attention:
The impact of land use on water quantity. Issue 7 captures the impacts on water quality however water quantity in catchments is affected by different land uses or management including drainage /wetland retention, forested cover versus pasture. Regional Plans or catchment management plans are the appropriate place to address this issue.
4 Action 8. RWNZ believes that education and provision of information to farmers regarding impacts of farming operations on freshwater and the ways to address them, including nutrient budgeting and riparian management, is a more effective approach to reducing the impacts of diffuse discharges, rather than tradeable permits which are more suited to point source discharges as they are more easily monitored.
5 Action 12. Raising awareness is generally best done at a local level on a catchment basis. Regional Councils may require additional resources from central government to achieve this. There is a role for other agencies in raising awareness of urban communities in water conservation but we note that the programme has not focussed on urban issues (Note 2).
6 Action 13. Collaborative projects that demonstrate practical ways of mitigating impacts would be effective advocacy.
RWNZ would appreciate a copy of the feedback from the consultation.
Yours faithfully,
Maggie Bayfield
Executive Officer
Rural Women New Zealand
ph: 473 5524 email: maggie.bayfield@ruralwmen.org.nz
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