B-2 – Area 2 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 117 sufficient water is retained instream to safeguard the life supporting capacity of freshwater;112 that decisions regarding the allocation and use of water take account of the need to avoid the further degradation of water quality, having regard to the contaminant assimilative capacity of water bodies;113 and the availability of water to meet other future social, economic and cultural needs of individuals and communities.114 For the reasons set out above in respect of Policy 8.6 of the RPS, the activities within Area 2 are consistent with the above outcomes around water allocation and use.115 Policy 12 (Assessment Criteria) is considered relevant to Area 2 as it applies when assessing any resource consent application for groundwater takes and any associated water use. It sets out matters that are to be given particular regard. They are not absolute requirements or standards in their own right. The relevant matters include: the effect of the activity on the relationship of tangata whenua with their ancestral lands and waters;116 the need for the volume and rate of water sought;117 the need to ensure that groundwater is available for existing and foreseeable domestic or municipal supply needs;118 consideration of alternative water sources;119 whether existing lawful takes of water will be adversely affected;120 whether tangata whenua uses and values, including the mauri of water, are maintained or enhanced;121 the need to ensure that aquifers are not over-allocated;122 any demonstrated return flow to the aquifer;123 112 Objective 3.3.2(h), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 113 Objective 3.3.2(i), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 114 Objective 3.3.2(j), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 115 Objective 3.3.2(b) to (d), (h) and (i), Waikato Regional Plan. 116 Policy 12(b), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 117 Policy 12(c), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 118 Policy 12(d), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 119 Policy 12(e), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 120 Policy 12(g), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 121 Policy 12(j), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 122 Policy 12(k), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 123 Policy 12(l), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan.
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