B-3 – Area 3 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 47 the efficient allocation and the efficient use of water;37 sufficient water is retained instream to safeguard the life supporting capacity of freshwater;38 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;39 and the availability of water to meet other future social, economic and cultural needs of individuals and communities.40 The discussion regarding water allocation with respect to Policy 8.6 of the RPS generally applies to this objective. Policy 12 (Assessment Criteria) is considered relevant to Area 3 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 when decision-making, but 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;41 the need for the volume and rate of water sought;42 the need to ensure that groundwater is available for existing and foreseeable domestic or municipal supply needs;43 consideration of alternative water sources;44 whether existing lawful takes of water will be adversely affected;45 whether tangata whenua uses and values, including the mauri of water, are maintained or enhanced;46 the need to ensure that aquifers are not over-allocated;47 37 Objective 3.3.2(d), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 38 Objective 3.3.2(h), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 39 Objective 3.3.2(i), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 40 Objective 3.3.2(j), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 41 Policy 12(b), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 42 Policy 12(c), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 43 Policy 12(d), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 44 Policy 12(e), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 45 Policy 12(g), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 46 Policy 12(j), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan. 47 Policy 12(k), Section 3.3, Waikato Regional Plan.
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