Table 1: Functions of Regional Councils NB: For s30 (1) functions, the clause starts with: Every regional council shall have the following functions for the purpose of giving effect to this Act in its region: Legal function Basis Comment Integrated management of natural and physical resources RMA s30(1)(a) Implemented through a wide of statutory policy policies/methods and arguably regional leadership and coordination across territorial authorities, including regional and strategies. Integrated management is a key element of mandatory Regional Policy Statements (sections 59-62). Policies on land of regional significance RMA s30(1)(b) Some Councils have identified wetlands of regional significance and elite soils through schedules to regional plans. The Wellington RPS (Operative 2013) has not identified any “land” of
and activities on the water surface. New subsection (fb) covers CMA energy takes and allocation of CMA space. Regional Coastal Plans are mandatory. Manage water quantity RMA s30(1)(e) Covers water takes, uses, damming, diversions and geothermal takes/management Control discharges of water and contaminants RMA s30(1)(f) The wide RMA definition of contaminants reinforces this as a major RC function, with increasing emphasis on diffuse sources of sediment, microbial and nutrient contaminants of surface and ground water. Allocation of water and assimilative capacity RMA s30(1)(fa) Water allocation, including water body assimilative capacity - refer again to National Policy
management of the natural and physical resources of the region. Beyond this requirement it is arguable that integrated planning is discretionary although all regional councils pursue integrated planning across issues of regional significance, enabled by the RMA s30(1) mandate and the even broader LGA mandate. Regional planning Regional Plan for Discharges to Land Regional Air Quality Management Plan Regional Soil Plan Regional Freshwater Plan No Non-coastal regional plans are discretionary but all regional councils have developed a range of such plans to better manage air, soil/land, water quality and quantity. With the advent of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, a freshwater plan (or combined land and water plan) is arguably
Environmental Services Science, monitoring and investigations Yes The Regional Monitoring Activity provides information on the current state of all natural resources and identifies trends. Data is gathered and used to investigate current environmental issues, analyse the effectiveness of plans and policies, assess the region's performance against national standards and guidelines and enable sound resource management decisions. RMA s35 requires all councils to gather information and commission research “as necessary to carry out” its RMA functions. Monitoring and research is integrated across multiple RC functions, including administrative information (e.g. resource consent processing times) through to sophisticated state of
Environmental Services Plant and animal pest management No This activity is enabled under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and appears quasi-mandatory as all Regional councils carry out similar pest management functions, often in partnership with the Animal Health Board (AHB) and DoC. All regional councils have developed Regional Pest Management Strategies even though these are not mandatory. Pest management responsibility has evolved with regional councils the default agency to plan, coordinate, act and monitor pest management on private land. See Environmental Services Biodiversity protection No Although regional councils have a high level RMA obligation to protect and enhance biodiversity under Part II of the Act, the level of
representation from farmers, iwi, environmentalists and others – see . Environmental Services Land management / soil conservation Horizons Regional Council has implemented a comprehensive “Sustainable Land Use Initiative” (SLUI) to address accelerated erosion problem in the region’s highly erodible hill country - see . A key component is the development of with individual farmers. Note this requires intensive engagement with and support of landowners and is not a cheap process in the first years. Environmental Services management and land drainage There is a range of national guidance on key environmental service provision. For example, there is comprehensive guidance on effective flood management - see this which is based on input from several regional councils and consulting engineers. However, there is no comparison across regional councils of levels of protection (service), costs, benefits and risks. Therefore it is not easy to, or perhaps even practicable, to assess the relative levels of service for the Ruamahanga River and its