Land and Water Forum chair Alistair Bisley says the forum process should land safely by the end of next week, although as in all landings, “seatbelts are fastened” as some of the big issues continue to be worked through. He says “substantive progress” is being made in final discussions relating to water quality, allocation, including infrastructure (for which, read irrigation storage), and governance. Tradeable water allocation and the status of the National Policy Statement on freshwater management are key, the NPS waits in the wings until the forum’s report is received and dealt with. Bisley is promising “a slender report”, but says the word “step-change” is being bandied about as a consensus among traditionally opposing water users emerges which will:

• Lead to a real improvement in the nation’s water quality, “measurable and occurring over time;”

• While allowing water to play its part well in helping to accelerate NZ’s economic growth rates;

• And sorting out the varying roles of the national and community resource-governing bodies.

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Bisley says the consensus is the important thing and that’s why the report can be short. Its guidance, however, can then be applied to what Bisley says are “zillions of reports already” which describe the national freshwater management issues which must be addressed. Bisley confirms there were some tense moments, as reported here last week, at the mid-month Waiheke retreat where some green participants began feeling the industry attitude was all take and no give. Last week’s Hurunui catchment moratorium decision (see separate story) has eased those fears, while the mining U-turn is seen as a fundamental political recalibration in favour of the environment.

A one-time international trade negotiator who headed the Ministry of Transport before taking up the LaWF role, Bisley will not comment on specific points of contention, but expects to be able to soon, and to deliver his report to Ministers at the end of a month extension to the end of August. A plenary meeting of the whole forum - more than 50 industrial, municipal, recreational and other users, and environmental advocacy agencies - met last week. A further meeting of a smaller working group will be scheduled shortly before a late August plenary, where final sign-off on the report is expected.

Bisley says engagement is intense, and that “just about everybody is involved in various sub-meetings.” For the first time in years, there is potential for historic agreement on national freshwater resource use. However, for policy-makers, business people and farmers wanting to expand dairy lands and increase irrigation, there is still perhaps a five year wait before the bulldozers start on any irrigation infrastructure. While John Key is on record in Parliament as wanting new Canterbury storage in place by next year, cooler heads are urging good process, and looking to the mining debacle as proof of what can go wrong without it.

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