The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM) requires Councils to work with their communities to understand how they value waterways and what goals should be set for the future, based on economic, social, cultural and environmental factors. A key requirement of the NPSFM is that the quality of our rivers, lakes and groundwater must be maintained or improved.
Freshwater Management Units have been identified across the West Coast region in order to effectively manage water resources in different areas where issues and community values may vary. These are:
The FMU will operate in partnership with the local Rūnanga to recognise and respect the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and develop recommendations which consider manawhenua cultural values.
Each FMU group will be officially appointed by the Council’s Resource Management Committee and will include up to eight members from the community with a range of backgrounds and interests related to land and water management values. Selection will ensure that a cross section of community values are represented and a broad range of perspectives are considered. Local Iwi, along with regional and district council elected representatives will also be part of the group.
