Council’s Compliance Monitoring Key to Effective Environmental Management

Effective environmental management requires councils to establish robust compliance monitoring systems that integrate with other aspects of monitoring. This involves working with adjoining councils and regional authorities to share best practices and learn from each other’s experiences.

The Importance of Compliance Monitoring

Compliance monitoring is critical for ensuring effective environmental management. It involves:

• Checking the uptake of resource consents
• Identifying those that have lapsed
• Ensuring compliance with consent conditions and permitted activities
• Enabling early detection of any adverse effects and prompt action if non-compliance is detected

Linking Compliance Monitoring with Enforcement

Councils must link their compliance monitoring efforts with their enforcement approach, establishing a progressive enforcement policy that takes into account the severity of each case. This may involve:

• Using a light- handed, informal approach for minor breaches
• Taking a more heavy-handed and legal approach if necessary

Monitoring Complaints

Complaints related to environmental issues can provide valuable insights into community attitudes and the quality of the environment. Councils must establish mechanisms to monitor complaints, which can help identify situations where consents may be required in future to address adverse effects.

Feedback and Review Cycles

Consents are site-specific, making them an excellent way to gauge the effectiveness of policies and plans. Compliance monitoring should provide a feedback mechanism to planners on the success of these initiatives, as well as feeding information to those involved in state of the environment monitoring and reporting.

RMA Provisions

Section 35(2)(d) of the Resource Management Act (RMA) requires councils to monitor resource consents and take appropriate action if necessary. Councils must also prepare reports every five years on the results of their monitoring efforts, including:

• The efficiency and effectiveness of policies and plans
• Their environmental performance

By complying with these RMA provisions, councils can ensure that they are fulfilling their obligations to monitor compliance with resource consents and report back to stakeholders on their environmental performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, compliance monitoring is a critical component of effective environmental management. By integrating compliance monitoring with enforcement and feedback mechanisms, councils can take proactive steps to protect the environment and address community concerns.