Objective 3-5, Policies 3-12 and 3-13 and the associated methods set up the policy framework for managing the effects of the storage, use, transport and disposal of hazardous substances* in the Region as required under s62(1)(i) of the RMA.

The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 provides a definition of hazardous substances*. These substances pose a significant threat to the environment if not stored, used, transported and disposed of safely and appropriately. The Regional Council considers that it is in an appropriate position to control the effects of the discharge of hazardous substances* to the environment by means of the resource consenting process. This enables an assessment of the environmental effects of hazardous substance* discharges to air, land and water on a case-by-case basis. Regional rules are an effective means of controlling the effects of these substances. Territorial Authorities are considered to be in an appropriate position to manage the storage, use and transport of hazardous substances* through their district planning provisions.

The Stockholm Convention, to which New Zealand is a signatory, aims to rid the world of persistent organic pollutants. Many of these are hazardous substances* previously used in old agrichemicals*. Despite the Regional Council providing a comprehensive old agrichemical* collection in 1996, there is likely to be a risk posed by old agrichemicals* still stored on farms. The Regional Council and the Ministry for the Environment are committed to providing a further collection of old agrichemicals*.