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Freshwater management reforms

In September 2019 the Ministry for the Environment released a consultation Action for healthy waterways with the purpose of improving freshwater quality.

The Government has set an objective of stopping the degradation of New Zealand’s waterways so that water quality is materially improving within five years, and to restoring them to a healthy state within a generation.

The Association submitted on the consultation to outline the importance of hydro generation in supporting New Zealand’s low-emissions future and the expected growth in the electricity sector and in particular wind energy.

The Association endorses the policy direction of supporting renewable energy targets by providing regional councils the discretion to exempt major – hydro-electric schemes from some freshwater management requirements.  In particular clause 3.22(2) recognising the importance of not adversely impacting generation capacity, storage and operational flexibility.

The Association’s submission can be viewed here: