18.7 Discharges

18.7.1 Policies

Policy 18-12: Consent decision-making for discharges^ into the CMA

When making decisions on resource consent^ applications and setting consent conditions^ for discharges^ into the CMA, the Regional Council must have regard to:

1. the Regional Policy Statement, particularly all the objectives and policies of Chapters 2 and 8, Objective 3-1 and Policies 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-6 and 3-7, Objective 6-2 and Policy 6-6, Objective 9-1 and Policies 9-3 to 9-5 and any relevant policies in the NZCPS;
2. the applicable Water Management Zone* or Sub-zone* and the relevant water^ quality Values and targets in Schedule I;
3. restricting the use of hazardous substances* in any estuary or river^ (including stream) in the CMA to those necessary to control pest plants or marine fauna identified pursuant to a pest management strategy prepared under the Biosecurity Act 1993;
4. tikanga Māori^, amenity values^, recreational values and public health and safety, and ensuring any adverse effects^ are avoided as far as reasonably practicable. Where avoidance is not reasonably practicable, the adverse effects^ must be remedied or mitigated; and
5. ensuring that any discharge^, after reasonable mixing, must not result in:
   1. the production of any conspicuous oil* or grease films, scums or foams;
   2. floatable or suspended materials;
   3. any conspicuous change in the colour or visual clarity of water^ in the coastal marine area^; or
   4. any emission of objectionable odour, or any significant adverse effects^ on aquatic life.

Policy 18-13: Consent decision-making for sewage discharges^

When making decisions on resource consent^ applications and setting consent conditions^ for sewage discharges^ into the CMA, the Regional Council must have regard to:

1. the Regional Policy Statement, particularly all the objectives and policies of Chapters 2 and 8, Objective 3-1 and Policies 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-6 and 3-7, Objective 6-2 and Policy 6-6, Objective 9-1 and Policies 9-3 to 9-5 and any relevant policies in the NZCPS;
2. the applicable Water Management Zone* or Sub-zone* and the relevant water^ quality targets in Schedule I;
3. avoiding any discharge^ within any river^ (including stream) or estuary in the CMA or within any Protection Activity Management Area identified in Schedule I;
4. the extent to which any alternatives have been considered, including discharging to land^; and
5. considering the views and concerns of tangata whenua^ in the decision-making process.