The stand-off continues between the council and the National-led government over the notification of the proposed ORC plan, after the government issued a directive for councils to hold off until the overarching National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 is replaced.
Mr Anderson said the council should think again about "bulldozing ahead" given the cost to ratepayers.
In an opinion piece for the Oamaru Mail this week, the MP cites the regional council’s actions as an example of the "wasteful spending" cited by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in August.
Mr Luxon’s speech was indicative of "the direction" given to local government about "extended timelines" for the planned national policy and Resource Management Act (RMA) reform programme, Mr Anderson said.
Following the October election, regional councils were told the review and replacement of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020, along with the replacement of the RMA, would create a new statutory deadline for them to meet for related plans, by December 31, 2027.
However, after receiving that letter of direction the Otago Regional Council said the changed deadline did not apply to it.
The council has subsequently been called to Wellington to account for its stance.
Mr Anderson said the direction already given to the ORC "clearly signals" it should wait for new RMA legislation to be implemented before notifying the land and water plan.
"By continuing to spend significant amounts of ratepayers’ money on plans that within a short period of time will need to be changed is unnecessary and wasteful spending of money," he said.
Waitaki ward ORC councillor Kevin Malcolm, whose efforts to delay the plan have been stymied at the council table, said he agreed with Mr Anderson in relation to the early notification.
"To notify now will only create greater cost to all our ratepayers and give no environmental gain," he said.
The Environment Minister had asked the council "to pause and wait" for the new government direction.
Otago "is not an environmental disaster zone", Cr Malcolm said, and he cited several examples of good work being done across the catchments, including in North Otago.
"Sure, we have some problem spots, but communities are working hard to resolve those."
Cr Malcolm said Environment Minister Penny Simmonds’ offer to the council "extends to sorting any legislative issues that pausing may cause" because of its intended plan changes.
It was also about "ensuring ratepayers have no greater financial burden".
The minister had also invited the council to participate in the review process of the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management.
"I’m voting to pause. Government reform will not be giving us a free environmental pass.
"Their aim is to remove the nonsensical complexity of the Resource Management Act and ensure through their other legislative changes that New Zealanders can use their skills and ensure that both their communities and environment thrive."
