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August 09, 2017
Labour proposes royalty to fund water clean up
Waatea Team
Posted On August 9, 2017
Labour is proposing a royalty on the commercial consumption of water to assist with the cost of keeping lakes and rivers clean.
New leader Jacinda Ardern says if Labour forms a government after the election she will host a round table on water with affected sectors in the first 100 days to help set the rate and work through details.
The royalty will be flexible to reflect the scarcity or abundance of water in different regions and its use, including by water exporting companies.
The revenue will largely be returned to regional councils.
Setting charges for water is likely to put pressure on the Waitangi Tribunal to come up with guidance on the treaty ipmlication of the policy through its current hearings into the nature and extent of Maori interests in water.
Ms Ardern says Labour will work with iwi to resolve Treaty water claims in a manner that respects iwi mana and restores the mauri of rivers and lakes.
it will boost efforts to restore rivers and lakes to a clean, swimmable state.
Its Ready for Work programme will employ young people off the dole and give them work improving the environment – including fencing waterways, riparian planting, and other work to improve water quality.
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