What We Do
Most human activities impact on our natural and physical resources. It's Environment Southland's role, very much in conjunction with the community, to ensure that the resources we all depend upon, for our industries, jobs, recreation and quality of life, are sustainably managed.

'If we manage the basic resources well, then the ecosystems that support us will continue to do so. If our ecosystems however are damaged or they fail, then humans and their activities will suffer accordingly.'

Environment Southland's primary function is to look after:

Air
To ensure that Southland's air quality is of a high standard and does not compromise health or pose a danger to the other physical and natural resources of the region.

We do this through:

• Legislation – the Regional Air Quality Plan
• Monitoring ambient air quality
• Operating a 24-hour pollution hot-line
• Issuing &monitoring resource consents
• Collecting relevant information &data
• Consultation with the people of Southland
• Water

the Regional Air Quality Plan ambient air quality a 24-hour pollution hot-line monitoring resource consents relevant information & data with the people of Southland

Water
To ensure that Southland has plentiful and clean water resources to meet current and future needs for aquatic life, human consumption, recreation and commerce.

We do this through:

• Legislation
• the Regional Water Plan
• the RMA
• Regional Pest Management Strategy
• Effluent Plan
• Monitoring of quality and quantity
• Ground water and aquifer research
• Issuing & monitoring resource consents
• Compliance and investigation staff
• Riparian management advice & subsidies
• Community liaison and interaction with community groups

Land
To ensure that Southland's land resources continue to be productive, safe and supportive of life. To encourage sustainable land use practices to reduce environmental damage.

We do this through:

• Legislation
• the Regional Effluent Land Application Plan
• the RMA
• Industry Best Practice Guidelines
• Waste Management Plan
• Land Sustainability
• Officers providing free assistance and advice
• Issuing & monitoring resource consents Advice and assistance to all Landcare Groups
• Farm and Industry field days
• Land Development protocol
• Hazardous waste management and community waste minimisation role
• Vector Control and Bovine Tb eradication programmes
• Consulting with the community
• State of the Environment reporting

Coast
To provide a healthy, clean and a active coastal environment that provides habitat and sustains life, commercial activities and recreational pursuits.

We do this through:

• Legislation
• the Coastal Plan
• Cruise Ship Deed of Understanding
• the Regional Control Plan

Monitoring effluent & industrial discharges Issuing & monitoring resource consents Managing hazards, access and structures Monitoring the health of estuaries Consultation with the community

Your request will be processed with maximum helpfulness and minimum formality, and within the appropriate timeframe. If your request is declined, then you will be informed of the reason it was refused and your rights of appeal.

Personal information can only be requested by the person concerned or by a properly authorised agent of the person concerned.

There may be a charge for providing official information when extensive research or photocopies are required. We will always contact you before any charges are incurred.

Information and Documents
Environment Southland holds large numbers of documents relating to its functions and activities.

These consist of:

Accounts
Agendas, minutes and correspondence Annual Plans and Reports By-laws, policy manuals and leases Consent applications Contracts, financial records and insurances Regional Policy Statement Civil Defence Plan Regional Plans Environmental Reports and statutes Tier Two Oil Spill Response Plan

If you wish to obtain details on any of these documents, then please contact us

Official Information Requests
Requests for information may be made to the Council under the provisions of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

Your request for official information should include specific details of the desired information and should be addressed to:

The General Manager Environment Southland Private Bag 90116 Invercargill

All requests for information made under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 will be met unless there is a reason set out and stated in the Act for not providing some or all of the requested information.

The following functions give you more detail into the work we carry out to manage these resources of air, water, land and coast.

Community Representation
Allows and enables genuine community participation in our projects and their outcomes. Publicly elected and accountable councillors provide a link between the community and the organisation. Public forums occur prior to each Council meeting and members of the public are encouraged to respond to and review our plans, consents, guidelines and legislation.

Communication
Enables you to have access to timely and accurate information about what's happening at Environment Southland. To ensure the community is aware of, understands and places value on what we do and to help instil a sense of pride in, and commitment to maintaining a healthy environment.

Environmental Education
Aims to increase the public understanding and commitment to sustainable environmental management through a school's education programme, a ending and hosting field days and information seminars, providing free advice and assistance, hosting Environment Awards to recognise community achievers and to encourage others to follow their lead, supporting and participating in community events.

24 Hour Emergency Response
Responds to environmental and/or pollution complaints and emergencies (including Civil Defence) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Regional Planning
Consults with the community to prepare various regional plans, ensuring that our resources are protected, maintained and where possible, enhanced for future generations.

Environmental Reporting
Monitors and gathers information about the state of our environment currently, to enable it to be properly and responsibly managed for future generations.