Consequences of not complying

Discharge of effluent to waterway is considered as a serious offence by most regional councils. Either an infringement fine of $750 per offence per offender or prosecution.

All other non-complying discharges to waterways (e.g. tile & mole) or land (e.g. ponding of effluent) may result in an infringement of $750 or prosecution.

Any unauthorised bed disturbance including stock access, gravel extraction or diversion may result in an infringement fine of $500 or prosecution.

Unauthorised structures on, in or over a waterway may result in an infringement fine of $500 or prosecution.

Unauthorised take, diversion or damming of water may result in an infringement fine of $500 or prosecution.

Non-compliance with the water measuring device regulation (e.g. not installing or recording as per the regulation) may result in an abatement notice to comply. If not complied with the abatement notice a fine of $750 or prosecution may be likely.

Failure to comply with a resource consent or undertaking an activity without a resource consent (this situation also applies to operating once a resource consent has expired) may result in an infringement notice of $300 to $750 (depending on the activity) or prosecution.

Failure to renew a resource consent may result in, for example, losing a water right in a fully allocated catchment. Failure to comply with the water shortage direction could result in an infringement fine of $500 or prosecution.

Pesticide spray drift outside the boundary could result in an infringement fine of $300 or prosecution.