A freshwater "system reset" has been recommended by the Regional Forum, a group set up by Environment Southland (ES) to look at ways of achieving Southlanders' aspirations for freshwater in the future.

The recommendations, presented to ES on 13 July, follow a series of community workshops held over the last three years across Southland.

The report promotes a "very different way of managing Southland's freshwater resources in the future", with greater contributions towards restoration from those who are having the greatest environmental impact.

Specific recommendations include:

• Embracing co-governance and a collaborative, “Southland-Inc” (multi-entity) response is recommended to leverage knowledge and resources.
• Introduce hauora (healthy resilience) management practices at a regional, freshwater management unit (FMU), catchment, and landowner level.
• All Southland land-users and businesses (not only farmers) with the potential to influence freshwater hauora outcomes to prepare an appropriate Environmental Management Plan(EMP).
• Anticipated regional climate change effects, risks, and opportunities.
• Encourage public land to be repurposed for increased ecosystem services that align with FMU Hauora objectives.
• Set up a regional wetlands task force.
• Mandatory flushing flows on the Waiau River must be instituted as soon as possible and remain in place while a more comprehensive assessment of the lower Waiau flow regime is developed.
• An investigation into alternative treatment and disposal options for the region’s wastewater and stormwater.
• Register and certify septic tank and other alternative non-networked toilet systems.
• Outreach and education programmes developed.
• Invest in a technology monitoring programmes.

CLICK HERE to view a copy of the full report.

The recommendations has been welcomed by the Guardians of the Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau chairperson Madeleine Peacock who said it had been no small task that the forum had taken on.

"The Guardians were pleased to see recommendations for improvement to flow in the Lower Waiau, addressing issues of land use affecting the Mararoa River and further downstream".

"The Regional Forum have presented Environment Southland and Te Ao Marama a once in a generation opportunity to make some significant gains in freshwater," Peacock said.

"The Guardians are hopeful the recommendations are adopted by Council and we look forward to working with council, mana whenua, Meridian Energy and our communities to see the recommendations come to life.”

CLICK HERE to view a copy of the full report.

The Regional Forum is a community based group that advises Environment Southland and Te Ao Marama board members on how we can achieve the communities’ aspirations for freshwater.

The forum is tasked with considering both specific policies and the practical initiatives required to make change and improve Southland’s water and land for generations to come.