Once Ms Simmonds received and reviewed further advice from officials, she would outline her next steps "including any potential engagement" with the Otago Regional Council, a spokeswoman for the minister said.
Ms Simmonds’ request for further information from the council follows a May 15 report the council presented her on the "costs, benefits and implications" of its forthcoming land and water plan.
It also comes as tensions increased last week between the council and farmers who claimed costs in the hundreds of millions if not billions could be imposed on Otago communities as a result of the plan.
The council has appeared to be on a collision course with the government since late last year when Resource Management Act (RMA) Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the council’s deadline for the plan had been extended to December 2027.
The council issued a statement the following day saying, no, it had not.
In February, Ms Simmonds, Mr Bishop, and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay met council leadership in Wellington and urged them to delay notification of the plan.
Ms Simmonds said at the time the council had been given a "very clear message" to await new national policies around freshwater management.
Then in March, Ms Simmonds rescinded a June 30 deadline for the plan set by former environment minister David Parker and extended the notification date to December 31, 2027.
Nevertheless, later that month the council decided its plan would be ready to be notified by October 31, triggering Ms Simmonds’ requirement for the May 15 report.
Late last month Federated Farmers Otago president Luke Kane wrote to council chairwoman Cr Gretchen Robertson and the region’s mayors calling for transparency around the costs the plan would impose on communities.
Possible rules that would make wastewater treatment plants unable to discharge treated water back into waterways could cost billions, he said.
(The forestry sector raised the alarm last year around possible rules around setbacks that could cost that sector hundreds of millions as well.)
Then, last week, Ms Simmonds responded to the council’s May 15 report.
She said she expected councillors to have "carefully weighed the costs and benefits" of when to notify the plan — and she remained concerned the council was on track to impose costs on ratepayers due to changes that might be required after new national policies around freshwater management were set.
Ms Simmonds’ concern was "intensified" after media reported the farming groups’ concerns.
The council responded by saying the present draft of its plan included changes from earlier ones.
"Multiple changes in freshwater legislation have been occurring, but councils in the meantime need to continue to meet their obligations to community and waterways through these changes.
"We need to wade our way through a constantly shifting playing field at present", Cr Robertson said.
Ms Simmonds did not say whether she was satisfied with the council’s response.
Ms Simmonds had yet to determine her view on the matter.
When asked whether she viewed the May 15 report as complete, Ms Simmonds’ spokeswoman said the minister requested further information on the impacts to the forestry and farming sectors.
"It would be sensible for Otago Regional Council to give themselves the extra time to fully consider the changes that the government will be bringing in.
"Once the minister has received and reviewed further advice from officials, she will be able to outline the next steps, including any potential engagement with Otago Regional Council."
