New Government freshwater regulations came into force on September 3, 2020. These include rules and obligations around activities on land that may affect water.
The regulations widen the range of activities requiring resource consents and tighten restrictions for many activities covered by existing rules.
The new requirements are far-reaching and should not be ignored. If your farm or business is undertaking or planning operational changes or developments involving any aspect of fresh water or waterways, you should check if they apply. Even if you haven’t needed a resource consent for such work in the past, it’s important you talk to Council staff.
As a first step, download our summary of the changes that are particularly relevant to Taranaki. Over the coming weeks, we will add more detailed FAQs that outline the practical requirements and implications for Taranaki farmers.
New freshwater regulations: What they mean for you [PDF, 644 KB]
FAQs: Intensive Winter Grazing [PDF, 388 KB]
FAQs: Stock Exclusion Regulations [PDF, 577 KB]
FAQs: Application of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser [PDF, 539 KB]
FAQs: Structures in rivers and lakes and reclamation of rivers [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Please note the TRC Requirements for Good Farm Management in Taranaki booklet (March 2017) and Council guidance sheets are currently being updated to take account of the new freshwater regulations. They therefore should not be relied upon. Instead, please contact the Council directly if you have any questions.
The Regional Fresh Water Plan promotes sustainable management of the region's freshwater resources by applying rules and conditions to various activities. The Plan is currently under review.
Regional Fresh Water Plan for Taranaki
Download the full Plan here, or scroll down and download the Plan rules as separate documents. (The plan includes amendments arising from the Government's May 2018 Plantation Forestry regulations.)
Regional Fresh Water Plan for Taranaki 2001 (1.8 MB pdf) See and download the Plan appendicesRules of the Regional Fresh Water Plan for Taranaki
These documents set out and explain the 87 rules contained in the Regional Fresh Water Plan for Taranaki
Introduction and guide to regional rules (279 KB pdf) See and download all the Plan rulesProgressive Implementation Programme for the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management
This document sets out the Taranaki Regional Council’s staged implementation programme of key projects for implementing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014. It supersedes the Council’s previous implementation programme publicly notified in 2015.
Progressive Implmentation Programme for the NPS-FW (1.8 MB pdf) (single document only)