From July 1, 2009, applicants for groundwater consents in Canterbury will need to present data which demonstrates the environmental impact of the proposed take on the environment at the time they lodge their resource consent application.
Environment Canterbury’s consents and planning director, Don Rule, says this new requirement represents a responsible approach in the management of a critical Canterbury resource. “If Canterbury people are to have healthy streams and rivers, the level of groundwater abstraction must be based on resource availability.”
Applicants will need to perform an aquifer pumping test to provide the necessary data. The information helps understand the impact a new groundwater abstraction has on neighbouring wells, streams or rivers. It also confirms the well yield and this will ensure applicants are applying for a volume of water that can realistically be delivered by their bore.
“If the results of a pumping test demonstrate that the environmental impacts of a groundwater abstraction are acceptable, the consent can be processed without undue delay,” Mr Rule says.
“This approach is already taken by a number of other regional councils around New Zealand, including Waikato and Otago.
“In addition, it is consistent with Canterbury’s proposed Natural Resources Regional Plan and last year it was recommended by commissioners hearing Selwyn-Waimakariri groundwater zone consent applications.”
Mr Rule says the commissioners acknowledged that it would require applicants to bear the cost of sinking a bore before any resource consent hearing took place. However, the commissioners considered it a business risk that should be taken.
“People already face considerable uncertainty in areas where the groundwater resource is fully or mostly allocated, as consents are being approved conditional on satisfactory results from pumping tests.”
The new requirement reduces uncertainty for applicants because it enables Environment Canterbury to let an applicant know the likelihood of a consent application being successful, before the applicant incurs consent processing and/or hearing costs.
For more information: Don Rule, Director Consents & Planning, 03 372 7233, 027 215 0779