3 Council Policy Objectives
3.1 Council policy objectives
Discussions were held with individual Councils to determine specific regional policy objectives, in particular, relating to economic development, employment generation and council investment.
The key points from Council policies and directions are outlined as follows:
- The following verbs were consistently used by Councils to describe their role within business development policy initiatives – "facilitate", "identify", "promote", "encourage", "stimulate", "attract", "and investigate".
These terms reflect a general Council view that their role within economic development (including water enhancement) is facilitation, providing information, resource, credibility and networks. The terms "invest", "fund", or "financially support" were not included within any Council policies reviewed. Councils will require a shift in philosophy if water enhancement schemes are to receive substantial Council financial support beyond facilitation.
- Generation of employment is the key driver across Council economic development policy. Common themes focused on employment stability within existing businesses and employment growth from attracting new business initiatives.
The results of previous economic studies provide clear evidence that water enhancement schemes bring significant employment opportunities to the region, both on-farm and downstream (this will be further quantified within study 5). There is however a concern regarding the availability of people with the skills and/or desire to fill the jobs brought about through the introduction of a water enhancement scheme. Attracting students and other staff to this vocation is an issue for the agriculture industry as a whole in New Zealand.
- Facilitating the provision of business training and education was a common policy objective through regional development initiatives.
This is a critical role for Councils to take in relation to water enhancement developments. Many of the key funding issues (i.e. availability of water user equity, price of water at the farm gate, initial water user take-up commitment and environmental concerns) can be overcome by educating water users and the general community regarding the benefits of water enhancement to the region and further analysis of environmental concerns. Strong up front community consultation and education will be a key advantage for a water enhancement scheme when resource consent applications are filed.
- Another common Council policy objective relates to stabilising and/or growing the population base of the region. Councils impacted by water enhancement development are primarily rural communities and are focusing on reversing migration to urban areas.
This policy is obviously strongly linked to the employment initiative above. Study 5 will demonstrate the positive impact that water enhancement schemes have had on population numbers in rural communities. Population brings many social and community benefits which are often difficult to measure.
- Council policy application must be consistent across industries. If financial support is made available to a project on the basis that it provides employment, population growth and other community benefit, then this should also be available to other projects generating the same benefits.
To access additional financial support water enhancement schemes need to prove that this development is a more efficient method of generating employment and community benefit than other competing projects.
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Information Services
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
Fax: +64 4 894 0721
Contact this person
