A key step in enabling sustainable management of the Bay of Plenty's fresh water resources is open for public submissions.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is proposing changes to how fresh water from rivers, streams and aquifers is allocated in the Proposed Plan Change 9 to the Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land (the Regional Plan).

'We need to sustainably manage our freshwater resources through addressing our regional problems which include a lack of limits for ground water, increase our knowledge of actual water use versus allocation; and stop unauthorised water takes,” says General Manager Strategy and Science Fiona McTavish.

'We have some key challenges for managing freshwater in the Bay of Plenty. Economic development, land use and climate change all affect the increasing demands placing pressure on the water in our region.”

'This is a key step for us in implementing the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPSFM) of 2014.”

Over the past 18 months council staff met with residents, community groups, iwi and industry representatives, discussing the existing water allocation limits and changes to permitted takes. From the feedback of these meetings, the council is proposing conservative interim limits for water in the region, along with enhanced metering and reporting. The data will enhance understanding on how much water is available and how it is currently being used.

'By making a submission on the proposed Plan Change 9 people are helping define how we allocate water in our region, so we can ensure we have enough freshwater for everybody now and for the future,” says Fiona.

Everyone is encouraged to make a formal submission on Proposed Plan Change 9 to the Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land (the Regional Plan).

The council is keen to receive submissions from anyone on whether they agree or disagree with the proposed plan change, and people have until 4pm on Wednesday, December 14, to send their submissions in.

A guide to writing a submission, the submission from and all information on this proposed plan change can be found at: www.boprc.govt.nz/planchange9