Wairau/Awatere Resource Management Plan To achieve effective compliance with the rationing strategy, the Council will need to undertake a comprehensive public information and education campaign to inform users of the effects of takes during dry periods, in addition to providing practical guidance which enables users to actually reduce their take. The monitoring information collected during the dry period should be used to teach people about their water consumption patterns. Being proactive in gaining community support is seen as a major priority in this process. Given the potential for dry periods to affect different water resources in different ways, the rationing strategy may need to be adapted, as appropriate, to allow the most efficient possible rationing of water on a resource by resource basis. It is also important that water permits are used within a reasonable time period to ensure that water is not being unfairly withheld from other users. The Act allows the Council to revoke a water permit, in full or in part, when the permit has not been used within two years of granting, to enable the consent quota to be pooled for reallocation. The Council intends to actively do this. This is particularly important in the water short areas. Review of consents is essential for achieving equitable allocation of water, particularly within irrigation water short management areas, such as the Southern Valley’s Water Management Zone. The Council is aware that a number of existing allocations are in excess of actual need and are unreasonably tying up water which could be used by other users. At the 5 or 10 year review periods, and at renewal, permit volumes will be assessed and amended to provide only for the maximum actual need of the users. This will enable a more equitable allocation of water. The Council will use incentives, education and research to encourage the more efficient use of water. These are seen as effective ways of encouraging a change in behaviour which will result in the more efficient use of water. Education will be of assistance to users who may not be aware of how to make efficient use of their allocations. Monitoring is needed to enable the Council to achieve equitable and sustainable allocation of the fresh water resources. Monitoring will provide important data on maximum actual use which will enable quota on renewed permits to be determined. The Council will not seek to unfairly restrict consumption of water. Therefore there will be no need for users to manipulate water meter readings. Monitoring will also enable compliance with rationing restrictions to be assessed. One of the roles of the riparian management strategy is to investigate the appropriateness of existing riparian management detailed in this and other chapters and the rules contained in Volume Two of the Plan. If, following this investigation, changes to plan provisions are required then those changes will be pursued through the plan change process. 6.8 Anticipated Environmental Results • Maintenance of flows in surface water systems, and levels in groundwater systems which do not breach the SFR; • Maintenance of freshwater quality for resources which currently meet water classifications; • Enhancement of freshwater quality to enable progress towards the water classifications which cannot currently be met; • Protection of in-stream habitat and ecology; 6 - 16