MEDIA STATEMENT FROM TARARUA GROWERS ASSOCIATION

28 February 2013

Tararua Growers Congratulate Horizons Regional Council “Common Sense”


“At last, some common sense from the Horizon’s Regional Council over the One Plan,” says Terry Olsen, Chair of the Tararua Growers Association. “We congratulate the Councillors on their recent 10-2 vote to support the application by Horticulture New Zealand to review the Environment Court decision on the Horizons One Plan.”

“This is a wise move by the Councillors and reflects the growing unease amongst Horizons vegetable growers and farmers about the regulatory impacts of the One Plan, “ adds Terry. ‘”As it currently stands the plan doesn’t just damage our business but it will hit the wider community hard with job losses and more negative economic growth in one of the worst economically performing regions in the country.”

In effect this decision by the Councillors opens the way to a timely and transparent scrutiny of the costs and benefits of the One Plan decision. It means Council is now able to quickly provide information previously not made available to modelling work commissioned by the Ministry of Primary Industries, as part of the wider work being done on the impact of the plan.

“The Councillors have done the right thing,” notes Terry Olsen. “Now it’s time for the Council officers to step up to the plate and back their councillors in the review.”

The decision to support Horticulture New Zealand’s application for a review of the Environment Court decision was ratified by a full Council meeting on February 26th and a memorandum has been sent to the Court.

“It’s a pity that memo to the Court doesn’t just simply state what the council voted for and it is unfortunately obscure in its legalese but luckily the minutes from the Council’s committee meeting make the decision very clear,” says the Tararua Growers Chair.

The Environment Court still has the final say on the One Plan decision to review new evidence in the case and a decision on the matter may be close.

The relevant council decision can be found at:
http://www.horizons.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Events/Regional_Council_Meeting/2013-02-26_100000/RC26022013AGNAT.pdf

ENDS

© Scoop Media