Regulations, Plans and Governance
In this section
Key Legislation and Policies relevant to the 5Waters are detailed below.
Regional Land and Water Plan
The Land and Water Plan is a new planning framework for Canterbury, providing clear direction on how land and water are to be managed and helping deliver community aspirations for water quality in both urban and rural areas. The plan identifies the resource management objectives for managing land and water resources in Canterbury to achieve the purpose of the Resource Management Act 1991. It identifies the policies and rules needed to achieve the objectives, and provides direction in terms of the processing of resource consent applications.
The Land and Water Plan addresses six key issues:
- Competing demands for water in Canterbury;
- The need for integrated and consistent management of water and land uses;
- Issues arising from interconnected water and land resources;
- Soil conservation, gravel resources and biodiversity;
- Natural hazards; and
- Managing new and existing activities.
Find out more about this plan and how it affects you at Environment Canterbury.
Canterbury Water Management Strategy
The Canterbury Water Management Strategy is based on a shared vision for managing freshwater, and sets environmental, social, cultural, and economic targets for the coming 5, 10 and 15 years. The strategy marks a huge change in how we deal with water issues. It provides a shared vision - developed over many years via extensive public consultation - to protect our fresh water for generations to come.
The strategy has been implemented since 2010 following several years of collaborative work by the Mayoral Forum, the Steering Group, Environment Canterbury and the regionals 10 territorial authority.
Find out more about this plan and how if affects you at Environment Canterbury.
Local Government
The Local Government Act defines the purpose of local authorities as enabling local decision-making by and on behalf of the community, and allows local authorities the power of general competence. This Act specifically requires Councils to continue to provide water and wastewater services if they do so already.
As part of the Local Government Act, we are required to produce a Water and Sanitary Services Assessment
Waiora One Water Strategy
In 2024, we adopted our Waiora One Water Strategy. [PDF, 4628 KB]. The Waiora One Water Strategy has been jointly contributed to by Te Taumutu Rūnanga, Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga and Selwyn District Council representatives to produce an agreed strategic framework and roadmap for those involved in water management to upholding the mana and mauri of all water as we look to the next 50 years and beyond.
Mā te tokomaha, ka ora ai te wai, te taiao, te takata.
By the work of many will the health of the water be restored, the environment flourish and the people thrive.
The Waiora One Water Strategy forms part of the Council’s wider strategic direction for Waikirikiri Selwyn. It aligns with other plans and strategic documents including the District Plan and Selwyn District strategies. The Waiora One Water
Strategy will direct planning, development and investment across Council. Its implementation will require integrated planning across land, water and infrastructure.
Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn will be supported by the Waiora One Water Strategy in regard to the protection of waters within Waikirikiri Selwyn and land development impacts on water.
The Waiora One Water Strategy and Implementation Plan actions will be implemented through Council planning processes. Use of the strategy will be supported by, but not replace, mana whenua positions on water as expressed through key documents including Te Whakatau Kaupapa:
Ngāi Tahu Resource Management Strategy, Mahaanui Kurataiao Iwi Management Plan and Te Taumutu Rūnanga Natural Resources Plan 2003.
Our 5Waters Policies
Council holds all policies in the Policy Search.
5Waters policies detail:
- How council and its customers may undertake activities on its assets; and
- What is permitted or accepted practice across a range of council activities.
In the case of the 5Waters, policies also give residents and ratepayers an insight into the reasons why certain decisions are made. Policies are reviewed annually by Council and every 3 - 5 years by council staff.