The One Plan setup by HRC is a comprehensive policy guide setting out guidelines for the local authorities, businesses and individuals alike to ascribe to. There are four key areas in this policy document: declining water quality, increasing demand for water, sustainable hill country use and protection of native habitats.[1] As seen by the core focal points of the report, water management is a very important issue. Undoubtedly, the Manawatu River has been factored into this report as it is a crisis point in the region. In this report there are two key elements of interest, that of public participation and standardizing regulations.
The One Plan was formulated five years ago and completed in 2010. Before the document became official it considered public submissions and included them in the final version. These submissions were indeed considered as the amended document is seen online, and able to be compared to the proposed one. The result is that the final version is much more concise and readable. For example, under the proposed One Plan nitrogen catchments were split up into 4 categories with seven Land-Use-Capability (LUC) rates. The categories ranged from 1-20 years and as the years expired the expected rate of the nitrogen to LUC was expected to drop. However, under the final document there is only one category for LUC rates and what’s more there is no grace period of transition.[2] Catchments areas are expected to be implemented promptly. This means that quality of water in the LUC regions is governed more stringently, which all things being equal should result in higher water quality.
5Horizons-Regional-Council, 2010
The One Plan is groundbreaking in that it unifies the standards amongst the ten different territories that HRC governs. This means that companies and municipalities along the Manawatu River can expect the same manual of standards set for them as other regions, such as say Wanganui or Waitomo. This does not mean that all areas have the same effluent discharge rates, but it does mean that rules have been formalized and a guideline set out to better governance in the lower North Island. Unifying the standards throughout the region is crucial because in order for the Manawatu River to be revitalized there needs to be a common understanding between all discharging patrons.
[1] 4Horizons-Regional-Council, “One Plan Upholds Community’s Desires for the Region,”(2010), http://www.horizons.govt.nz/about-us/who-what-where/news/one-plan-upholds-community-s-desires-for-the-region/. (accessed October 25, 2010).
[2] 5Horizons-Regional-Council, “Chapter 13: Discharges to Land and Water,” (2010): pg 7.