Heavy-duty policy work is referenced in the council’s annual report, and there is to be no let-up.
Interim chief executive Dr Pim Borren said staffing numbers had increased from 180 to 320, reflecting increased work in science and regulation arising from Government policy.
Dr Borren and former chairman Andrew Noone said in their introduction to the annual report that there had been many challenges in the 2021-22 financial year.
Ongoing work to develop a regional policy statement and a proposed land and water regional plan was identified as the most significant challenge.
"Both pieces of work required enormous workload on the part of staff and governance," Dr Borren and Mr Noone wrote.
Central and regional government were grappling with challenges associated with greater protections for the environment, as well as responding to climate change, they said.
The council increased its resourcing.
"We appreciate the significant impact this increased commitment placed on our ratepayers but largely feel our communities across the region understand the need for [the council] to lift its game."
Another challenge was the Covid-19 pandemic.
This exacerbated headaches in managing public transport responsibilities amid a shortage of bus drivers.
The council’s regional policy statement, which identifies significant resource management issues for Otago and explains how national direction will be implemented, became bogged down in legal challenges.
Considerable further work will also be needed this financial year in development of the land and regional water plan.
Dr Borren said the council had needed to grow its science team contributing to that.
The work included hydrology modelling, wetlands mapping and developing an urban water programme, as well as learning more about land use and soil attributes.
Restoration projects for the next year would include significant work at Lake Hayes and Te Hakapupu, or Pleasant River.
In the past year, the council had operating funding of $86.8 million, including $20.3 million from general rates, $20.5 million from targeted rates and a $13 million dividend from council-owned Port Otago.
Overall, the council met 65% of its service targets for the year.
The council adopted a policy during the year that expresses an intention to go beyond minimum statutory responsibilities for engaging with Maori.
There was an increase in both consent applications and the number processed, largely from consents for residential earthworks and discharges from dairy farms.
Dr Borren said the council issued 104 formal enforcement actions and an interim enforcement order over pollution incidents or breaches of consent conditions.
