Wednesday 30 September 2026
The Otago Regional Council (ORC) has amended, under Sections 55 and 44A of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), the Regional Plan: Water for Otago (Water Plan) from 24 September 2026.
The s55 amendments give effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 by amending Policy 10.4.8 of the Water Plan to reflect the current wording of clause 3.22(1) on natural inland wetlands.
The s44A amendments remove inconsistencies with the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry) Regulations 2017 by deleting Schedule 17 from the Water Plan and making consequential changes, including deleting associated advice notes and amending Table 11.2.
The Water Plan is available on ORC’s website www.orc.govt.nz and can also be accessed at public libraries throughout Otago.
Notified in accordance with Clause 20(2) of Schedule 1 of the RMA.
Anita Dawe
General Manager Regional Planning and Transport
Signed on behalf of the Otago Regional Council
24 September 2026
The Regional Plan: Water for Otago (the Water Plan) assists us in managing Otago's water resources.
Water is the first priority of the Otago Regional Council. Our Regional plan and Land & Water Regional plan are two documents that we use to help develop rules and regulations which will help communities protect our water for generations to come.
