Proposed Visions
What are visions?
Long-term freshwater visions are how we all want freshwater to be in the future.
Under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM) Councils must set long-term freshwater visions for each Freshwater Management Unit (FMU), part of an FMU or for a catchment.
Visions are goals with timeframes which must be both ambitious but reasonable (that is difficult to achieve but not impossible).
They must be developed through engagement with communities and tangata whenua and be informed by an understanding of the history of and environmental pressures within the FMU.
Achieving visions and reaching environmental outcomes ensures that the values of an FMU can continue to be experienced and enjoyed.
Council is required to include long-term visions as objectives in the proposed Marlborough Environment Plan (PMEP).
The NPSFM recognises Māori approach freshwater management in a different way. Council is working with the nine tangata whenua Iwi within Marlborough to identify their visions. The visions will also be incorporated into the council’s planning and decision-making processes to ensure they are provided for.
Proposed vision for the Te Hoiere / Pelorus FMU
The health of the waterbodies and freshwater ecosystems are maintained, protected, and enhanced for current and future generations. Mauri is restored to the land, water and the receiving coastal environment, the environment is flourishing.
Freshwater and riparian habitats are protected, restored and enhanced, being well-connected with native flora and fauna populations abundant, diverse and self-sustaining. The natural and scenic values of the Te Hoiere / Pelorus FMU are maintained and protected from degradation.
The area continues to be used for relaxation and recreational purposes, mahinga kai and food gathering. Iwi traditions and relationship to wai and wai tapu are protected, encouraged and revitalised.
Communities live and work sustainably with freshwater bodies and ecosystems which thrive and in turn support community wellbeing and the local economy, all being resilient to a changing climate.
The feedback on the strawman visions will be considered by the freshwater policy team, amendments will be made where appropriate and timelines will be assigned to these visions as required by the NPSFM.