Waikato regional councillors have thrown their weight behind a remit pushing for a levy on plastic shopping bags.

It's one of three remits councillors have come out in support of, and includes re-introducing subsidies for water and wastewater schemes and an investigation into the paying of rates on Crown land.

The Waikato Regional Council is supporting remits aiming to protect the environment at the upcoming Local Government New Zealand general meeting on July 19. One remit calls for a levy on plastic shopping bags. Photo: File

The remits are being considered by Local Government New Zealand at its annual general meeting in Rotorua on July 19. Councillors agreed to support the remits at this week's regional council meeting.

WRC chairperson Paula Southgate, who is attending the LGNZ conference, says she looks forward to the discussions on the remits.

'Protecting the environment and helping deliver more efficient and effective services is what the regional council is about,” says Paula. 'These remits are all about engaging with central Government strongly to make progress on these points.”

A plastic shopping bag levy has been proposed by Palmerston North City Council, which suggests central Government impose a compulsory levy on plastic bags at point of sale to help deter their use.

A report to the Waikato Regional Council stated overseas a levy ‘is becoming more common and has generally been successful in reducing usage'.

Councillors also supported a Far North District Council suggestion that LGNZ urgently engages with central Government about re-introducing water supply and wastewater services subsidy schemes.

It asks that $40 million a year be made available for such schemes.

'Water and wastewater systems are crucial enablers of public health and a sustainable environment,” states a report to the regional council.

Support was also given to a Whanganui District Council remit urging LGNZ to investigate territorial authorities charging rates on Crown-owned properties.

The Local Government rating Act 2002 currently limits the rates payable by the Crown on such properties.

But a report to the regional council indicated this was for unknown historical reasons: 'We understand that the exemption was introduced in 1867 and [records were] silent on the rationale.”