Otago Regional Council Plan Changes
The Otago Regional Council Water Permits Plan Change and Omnibus Plan Change have been called in as proposals of national significance.
On 8 April 2020, in response to requests from the Otago Regional Council (ORC), the Minister for the Environment issued two directions under section 142(2) of the Resource Management Act (RMA) to refer the following plan changes to the Environment Court for decision:
- Water Permits Plan Change – Water Plan Change 7 (WPPC)
- Omnibus Plan Change – Water Plan Change 8 and Waste Plan Change 1
The plan changes are interim measures proposed by ORC to improve water quality in the Otago Region while ORC works on a new Land and Water Regional Plan. The new Regional Plan is expected to be in operation towards the end of 2025.
We notified the plan changes on Monday 6 July 2020.
Latest update
17 November 2021 – Otago Regional Council's Plan Change 7 – Final decision
On 17 November 2021, the Environment Court issued its decision on Plan Change 7. The decision, including annexures, are available on the Environment Court website.
View the final decision on Plan Change 7 - Environment Court website
5 November 2021 – Environment Court proceedings
The Environment Court's consideration of the plan changes is still in progress. All the latest information is available on the Environment Court website.
View all up-to-date information on the ORC Plan Changes - Environment Court website
20 October 2020 – Handover to Environment Court
The EPA has handed all information relating to the ORC plan changes to the Environment Court, as required under section 149G of the RMA. The Environment Court will make decisions on the plan changes and the submissions.
The Otago Regional Council is currently preparing to lodge a notice of motion under section 149T(3), which will formally commence the Environment Court proceedings. The Council will serve a copy of the notice of motion on submitters and further submitters.
The information on the EPA website will be retained throughout the Environment Court proceedings. However, if you have any questions about the next steps in the process, please email the Environment Court: ORC@justice.govt.nz.