Regional Forum - Vast improvements to freshwater possible, report says

The Southland Regional Forum met last week for its final two-day workshop at Te Rau Aroha Marae, Bluff.

​One of the Southland Regional Forum’s important recommendations focuses on hauora-led integrated catchment management for Murihiku Southland, says Southland Regional Forum chair Fiona Smith.

Wetlands play an incredibly important function in the health of Southland’s freshwater, and the Southland Regional Forum will be recommending a more defined plan be put in place.

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

A number of key stakeholders visited the workshop to outline their ideas and thoughts about meeting freshwater objectives.

The Southland Regional Forum welcomes five new members to the team to help complete their work over the next 18 months.

The Regional Forum is seeking feedback on a set of question they will use to help guide their decision making.

Environment Southland’s strategy and policy committee received the first report from the Regional Forum, which provided Council with some recommendations for practical action.

Despite heavy rain over the last week, the second aerial compliance inspection undertaken yesterday has shown positive signs of improved practice.