The uproar caused by a suggestion of extra annual charges on Twizel residents to dispose of their stormwater may be resolved.
The Environment Canterbury (ECan) proposal to introduce annual water monitoring charges and fees, which would result in annual charges for consent-holders, caused an outcry in Twizel, particularly from subdivision developers.
Now, ECan and the Mackenzie District Council are working on a "global" stormwater consent for residential properties in and around Twizel.
ECan regulation director Kim Drummond said residential stormwater had the potential to cause environmental effects and a resource consent was needed.
Senior management teams of both councils had discussed a global consent, an alternative to individual stormwater consents, which would benefit the Mackenzie council and its ratepayers.
"This approach would also allow developers to apply for a global stormwater consent at the start of a residential project," Mr Drummond said.
Under the proposal, the Mackenzie council would take overall responsibility for individual stormwater consents and manage the potential effects in agreement with individual landowners.
Individual landowners with stormwater disposal systems not covered by the proposed global consent would still need an individual resource consent, subject to ECan's $63 annual fixed compliance charge.
All consent holders would also have to pay a $63 fixed charge this year.
If the global consent is issued, Mackenzie council will contact stormwater consent holders and advise them of their obligations under the new consent.
