Environment Minister David Parker has appointed Peter Skelton to investigate, saying while the delays are not all the council’s making, switching management of the 300 mining privileges to modern regulations remains unresolved after 30 years.
Manuherikia farmer Andrew Paterson, an Omakau Irrigation Company member, said the council and farmers are making progress and working through what is a complex issue.
“Parker is putting his nose in and potentially stirring the process up, which could make it difficult for the Otago Regional Council to handle.
“I don’t think it is going to be helpful.”
The issue relates specifically to the Manuherikia, Cardrona and Arrow Rivers in Central Otago.
Parker said Skelton will investigate whether the council has or will have an appropriate planning framework in place to give effect to the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management before the old permits expire in October 2021.
The problem has been modernising permits negotiated in the late 1800s and, in the case of the Manuherikia River, extremely challenging catchment hydrology.
They delay has also been caused by the need to match water allocation for those with rights with minimum river flows.
Parker raised concerns late last year that the council’s intention to notify a plan change setting minimum flow rates for the three catchments was suddenly stopped and a new timeframe for minimum flows and allocation set for December 2025.
Earlier this year Parker met the council and told it he expected a framework be established to set minimum flows ahead of the expiry date but now says that won’t happen.
Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said the council will co-operate with the investigation and show what it is doing to meet its obligations under the Resource Management Act and that it has a plan.
Parker wants to ensure the plan is on track, Woodhead said.
