Environmental regulation and protection | Ngā mahi tiakina me ngā whakaritenga taiao
We are Waitaha/Canterbury’s environmental regulator, responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land.
We work with mana whenua, stakeholders and communities to promote the sustainable management of these natural resources, and protect and enhance the health of our natural environment.
Environmental Regulation and Protection includes clear rules and guidance to ensure resources are used consistently within the rules, community aspirations and national requirements. We maintain key working relationships with mana whenua, other agencies and communities to deliver on-the-ground action to drive improved outcomes.
For this service we:
- Set the regulatory frameworks for the management of the environment
- Provide authorisations in line with the regulatory framework
- Ensure compliance with the regulatory framework
- Respond to events where environmental harm is occurring
- Lead collective efforts to prevent, reduce or eliminate pests
- Partner to protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity and mahinga kai
- Collect and share high-quality data, information and advice on the environment
- Provide resources to support local action
Set the regulatory frameworks for the management of the environment
Regional plans incorporate the aspirations of mana whenua and the communities of Waitaha/Canterbury, reflect national direction, and set out requirements for resource users. They promote sustainable management of natural resources and contribute to the outcomes we measure.
Provide authorisations in line with the regulatory framework
Resource consents, permits and other authorisations are key mechanisms for delivering environmental protection. They contribute to environmental, economic, social and cultural outcomes for our region by ensuring that rules and regulations designed to protect the environment and cultural values are translated into practice, while allowing economic activity to continue.
Ensure compliance with the regulatory framework
Compliance with regional plan rules, national direction and consent conditions will promote sustainable management of natural resources in Waitaha/Canterbury and help achieve the outcomes for our region. To support compliance, we provide information and advice, and enable resource users to access information on industry best practice and assistance that is available to them.
Respond to events where environmental harm is occurring
We work to protect the environment and mitigate the impacts of specific threats such as environmental incidents. Typically, we receive around 3500-4000 reports of environmental incidents each year, which are categorised and assessed further to determine the appropriate response.
Lead collective efforts to prevent, reduce or eliminate pests
We work with others to implement the objectives of the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan. This service includes our work on eradicating wilding conifers, containing wallabies and responding to invasive organisms.
Partner to protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity and mahinga kai
We work, often with others, to protect, enhance and restore indigenous biodiversity and mahinga kai. We initiate and manage on-the-ground projects, and undertake monitoring to understand the current state of our biodiversity and what we need to do to protect and enhance it. Our focus as a regional council is on habitat protection, in particular freshwater and coastal habitats, and through our regional planning work we set the direction for others (such as city and district councils) to protect terrestrial habitat.
Collect and share high-quality data, information and advice on our environment
To support decision-making about how we manage and use resources, we need to understand the state of the environment, measure changes to the environment over time, and make our data and information accessible. We have long-term land, water and air monitoring networks that monitor our environment and supplement our long-term network with historic data, and data from short-term monitoring programmes and research projects from ourselves and partners.
Provide resources to support local action
Everyone has a role to play in improving environmental outcomes, and supporting and empowering local communities to lead local projects is an investment that makes a significant contribution to achieving these outcomes. We provide access to co-funding for projects that align with Council’s strategic priorities, as well as advice and other assistance.
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