"Alarmist" comments about the possible cost of implementing Horizons Regional Council's One Plan have disappointed council chief executive Michael McCartney.
He directed the alarmist description at those who have been suggesting the One Plan imposes a raft of new standards at highly elevated costs.
The most ferocious criticism has come from hill
country farmers and the leaders of farming organisations.
"What I find interesting is all this excitement about cost when a large part of our One Plan simply reaffirms what has been in place for some time," says Mr McCartney.
"If the debate around cost is to be had, and it should in the interests of rate impacts, then it needs to be done in the context of what previously agreed policies and plans already require."
Ten years ago Horizons finalised a Regional Policy Statement under the Resource Management Act 1991.
That document set a number of targets such as having the Region's rivers suitable for swimming in 15 years' time.
"To their credit, a number of councils have been proactive and responded to the environmental targets set as far back as the 1990s," Mr McCartney said.
In the mid-1990s Rangitikei undertook the job of closing all its old rubbish dumps and establishing a purpose-built landfill; Wanganui recently opened a wastewater treatment plant aimed at getting sewage out of the Whanganui River; not long ago Palmerston North ratepayers celebrated the opening of a new wastewater treatment plant; Tararua has upgraded its Dannevirke plant and Manawatu is planning for a major sewage treatment upgrade to lessen the pollution in the Oroua River.
"Those councils should be congratulated for their actions to meet community and environmental expectations. They have understood an important bottom line if we want cleaner rivers there is an inescapable financial cost.
"And for those who have not yet understood that bottom line we do, of course, have the option of setting our expectations lower or even carrying on as we are.
"No doubt we will hear about these options as your Regional Council elected members hear and contemplate submissions to the One Plan," Mr McCartney said.
