The data showed there were 21 environmental prosecutions completed over 12 months, with 42 convictions against 23 polluters.
The council issued 134 abatement notices, 71 infringement notices, six enforcement orders and 305 formal warnings.
Last season, staff visited and inspected 820 of the region’s estimated 4100 dairy farms and more than 1700 environmental incidents were reported by the public and assessed and responded to, with 570 physically attended by council staff.
In 2018-19, the council visited 1036 dairy farms and gave out 301 formal warnings, 107 infringement notices, 134 abatement notices, three enforcement orders, 15 prosecutions and completed 62 convictions against 20 polluters.
The council’s regional compliance manager Patrick Lynch says prosecutions for the really serious environmental incidents are important, but only form part of our overall compliance strategy.
“A large part of daily business for our council is to enable the community and businesses to utilise and interact with natural and physical resources – like using water from the Waikato River. But using those resources comes with obligations,” Lynch said.
“There is a balance to be struck and we have to ensure people also operate within environmental limits.”
The region has more than 11,400 resource consents across 5000 sites, with 62% of the monitored consents compliant last year.
“Non-compliance ranges in its seriousness and for those found to be non-compliant, a variety of actions will have been taken, including education. Sometimes, more than one action will be taken if initial directions are not heeded,” he said.
Council maritime staff also interacted with more than 2500 people on coastal and inland waterways with 86 infringements, 34 formal warnings and 72 verbal warnings.
Environmental Performance Committee chair and councillor Kathy White says she was heartened by the results but concerned about the seemingly slow rate of behaviour change in some sectors.
“We have a fantastic region, and we need to enjoy it sustainably and safely. But clearly there is still a way to go for some in our community to realise this,” White said.
