PROJECTS
Expert Evidence on Land Use Plan to Preserve Water Resources, New Zealand
The problem
Canterbury Regional Council introduced a new regional land use plan that would prevent land-owners from felling timber on more than 20 percent of their land, with the stated aim of maintaining river and groundwater in flow-sensitive catchment areas. However, this plan would have prevented the continuation of sustainable plantation forestry in the area and had been developed without considering other options to preserve water resources.
How we helped
Castalia’s analysis showed that a more targeted approach, requiring landowners to manage run-off from the land, would achieve the same environmental outcome while imposing lower economic costs. The council’s failure to consider this meant it was in breach of New Zealand’s Resource Management Act (1991), which requires councils to show that the environmental measures they impose are the most appropriate way to achieve the environmental objectives.
Impact
Since our analysis showed that the regional council had not complied with the Resource Management Act, the council rescinded the previous plan. A new plan was gazetted that required new activities that lead to deterioration in water absorption to be specifically approved by the council.
The client
Selwyn Plantation Board Limited
Blakely Pacific Limited
Matariki Forest
Our team
How can we help you?
How can we help you?
WASHINGTON, DC
+1 (202) 466-6790
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1200
United States of America
SYDNEY
+61 (2) 9231 6862
Suite 19.01, Level 19, 227 Elizabeth Street
Australia
AUCKLAND
+64 (4) 913 2800
Sinclair House, 3 Glenside Crescent
New Zealand
WELLINGTON
+64 (4) 913 2800
Level 2, 88 The Terrace
New Zealand
PARIS
+33 (0)1 85 64 10 22
3B Rue Taylor
France
BOGOTÁ
+57 (1) 508 5794
Calle 81 #11-08, Piso 5, Oficina 5-121
Colombia
Thinking for a better world.
WASHINGTON, DC
+1 (202) 466-6790
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1200
United States of America
SYDNEY
+61 (2) 9231 6862
Suite 19.01, Level 19, 227 Elizabeth Street
Australia
AUCKLAND
+64 (4) 913 2800
74D France Street, Newton South
New Zealand
WELLINGTON
+64 (4) 913 2800
Level 2, 88 The Terrace
New Zealand
PARIS
+33 (1) 73 44 26 97
6 Rue Duret
France
BOGOTÁ
+57 (1) 508 5794
Calle 81 #11-08, Piso 5, Oficina 5-127
Colombia
Thinking for a better world.