Activity Group: Environmental Management Resource Management (Measurement and Reporting of Water Takes) applied) many activities undertaken by the team are for public benefit and cannot Regulations 2010 has placed increased functions and responsibilities on both be cost recovered, such as incident investigation and enforcement. Council and the holders of water permits. Active monitoring of water takes is Implementation and review of monitoring charges for resource users is ongoing, to critical to the sustainability of Marlborough’s aquifers and waterways. ensure as much cost recovery as possible for the team’s active monitoring Enforcement programmes. Identification of breaches of the RMA and escalated enforcement due to their Database significance can have a substantial effect on the Environmental Protection team’s Current database functionality impacts on the efficiency of the team’s activities work programme by diverting staff and other activities into enforcement and reporting for monitoring and compliance activities. Development plans and a proceedings. preliminary budget is in place for a replacement system. Managing Complaints Quality Management System Council receives over 500 complaints (excluding excessive noise complaints) on The section is continuing to experience increased demands from statutory an annual basis in regard to alleged breaches of the RMA, all of which require requirements. To ensure the section fulfils these functions the Regulatory investigation. The follow up involved in resolving a complaint can vary from a Department operates under a Quality Management System (QMS). Control and relatively simple desktop exercise to a complex investigation and Court action. suitability of the QMS is reliant on Regulatory Department managers and staff Prioritising resources is a continual issue for the team to achieve efficient and resourcing. Increasing resource demands limit the Department’s ability to maintain effective monitoring while meeting customer expectations and achieving and continually improve the QMS. environmental outcomes. National Direction As noted previously in this Activity Group, funding for a dedicated Regulatory Legislative change or the introduction of national environmental standards can QMS position has been allocated from 2019/20 to maintain the department’s QMS influence the nature, scope and timing of the Environmental Protection team’s and mitigate risk of nonconformity with statutory functions. work programme. Any increased statutory functions and responsibilities places increased demands on the team’s resources. Cost Recovery Budgetary levels restrict the available resources to undertake the team’s activities. While some activities are identified as of private benefit (with monitoring charges 2018-2028 Long Term Plan Page 124