from a European perspective to Maori, Pacifica and other cultures. Stormwater discharges to natural receiving waters must be considered from a cultural as well as environmental perspective. Within the context of these environments a number of Levels of Service have been established • Provide an overall level of service that meets or exceeds residents’ expectations. • Minimise the environmental risks of stormwater discharges. • Provide a reliable stormwater service. • Provide a service that is timely and responsive to customer needs. • Provide a stormwater service that is sustainable. The method of developing and establishing the Levels of Service are described in Chapter 2. 1.2.1 Marlborough Infrastructure Strategy Further amendments to the Local Government Act (2002) were passed into law in August 2014. The amendments include a requirement for local authorities to produce a 30 year infrastructure strategy for the five main assets groups in their jurisdiction – roading, water, wastewater, stormwater and flood protection. In response to the change of legislation the Council is reviewing current strategies with a view to drafting a compliant infrastructure strategy. The strategy will discuss the assumptions and expectations of the changing operating environment over the next 30 years; it will outline the challenges and the consequences for the infrastructure required to meet the changing demands. A broad outline of the likely costs required to meet the requirements will be included. The strategy will provide an extension of the current planning horizon. The current instruments are the Annual Plan and the Long Term Plan. These two documents provide textual and financial details of council activities for one and three years. Outline projections for a further seven years are included in the LTP. For the main infrastructural asset groups that have high individual or aggregated value and long life expectancies the 30 year strategic plan is an obvious and necessary extension. Whilst it may be difficult to define the details the main trends and areas of expenditure can be outlined for future planning. 1.2.2 The Blenheim Stormwater Strategy During the 1990s it became increasingly apparent there were key issues developing around the management of stormwater in Blenheim. The town had experienced considerable growth in the urban area; there was a growing requirement to demonstrate responsible environmental stewardship; a legacy of existing discharge consents had evolved over time under a number of jurisdictions and there was a lack of consistency between the conditions of the consents and there was a need to clarify the level of service delivered now and in the future. As a consequence a scoping report was prepared in 2007 to outline how a coordinated stormwater strategy could be developed for Blenheim. The strategy identified several key drivers: • The need for Council stormwater assets to comply with regulatory requirements. • Achieving improved water quality. • Protection of the receiving environment. Page 4