One Plan upholds community’s desires for Region

One Plan upholds community’s desires for the Region
24 August 2010

Horizons Regional Council’s One Plan has emerged from six years of consultation and deliberation as a plan which upholds the community’s desire for clean water, protection of native habitat and economic growth.

The One Plan tackles the region’s four key issues - declining water quality, increasing demand for water, unsustainable hill country land use and threatened native habitats, providing a road map for the management of the region’s natural resources.

Horizons chief executive Michael McCartney said with over 525 submissions to consider, the independent hearing panel’s task was not an easy one.

“The job of the hearing panel was exceedingly tough. They had to weigh up competing interests and make a final decision based on what they believed to be the best outcome for the region,” said Mr McCartney.

“The stark reality is that not everyone can have their way on every issue but I’m confident the decisions made by the panel are workable for everyone.

“It’s tempting to get caught up in the detail of the policies at the expense of the big picture. The values this plan was built on have remained constant throughout the process and that is a clear sign that the community supports the direction we are heading in.”

The two most controversial areas of the One Plan were hill county erosion and the impact of intensive farming on the Region’s waterways.

“The health of New Zealand’s waterways are increasingly challenged by nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous from intensive farming. To address this issue in our region, dairy farming will be controlled activity in priority areas.”

Mr McCartney said the conditions farmers would be required to meet reflect industry defined standards.

“The conditions required are those which the industry themselves has identified as best practice through the likes of the Clean Streams Accord. They include the use of nutrient management plans and excluding stock from waterways, measures necessary if we are to reduce nutrient levels in our rivers.

“Best practice guidelines and voluntary standards have their place but they don’t always lead to immediate and widespread change. Our communities are calling for action now and we believe the way to achieve this is through regulation in the areas of greatest need,” said Mr McCartney.

Mr McCartney said the One Plan also struck a good balance between preventing accelerated erosion on steep hill country land with a slope greater than 28 degrees while allowing day-to-day farming operations to continue without any regulation.

Submitters to the proposed One Plan are able to appeal the panel’s decisions to the Environment Court. Horizons has successfully applied to have the deadline for appeals extended to 60 days.

“It’s important that all parties have time to adequately process the panel’s decisions and that’s why we’ve asked for the appeal period to be extended on behalf of all parties,” said Mr McCartney.

Meanwhile, Horizons staff are available to meet individual landowners around the region to explain how the One Plan may affect them. Those interested are encouraged to contact the council on 0508 800 800.

ENDS