Working Together To ‘Future-Proof’ Our Land

For immediate release: 12 March 2013
New toolkit aims to support western Bay land owners to sustainably manage their land.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council last week announced the launch of a new campaign, called ‘Futureproof Your Land’, which is aimed at rural land owners in the Tauranga Harbour Catchment.

The campaign, which was launched at the Tauranga Harbour Symposium on Thursday 7 March, provides information toolkits to help land owners future proof their land to ensure it remains productive and profitable, while ensuring water quality and biodiversity are protected or improved and erosion is controlled.

Land Management Manager Robyn Skelton said landowners face a range of challenges that, if left unmanaged, could undermine future production and the value of their land. Doing nothing could threaten the quality of soil, crops, livestock, lifestyle and landowner’s income.
“We are looking forward to engaging with local land owners and working together to ensure a better future for the Bay. We want to equip our landowners with the knowledge and tools to make the best choices in their land use practices.”

Regional Council land management officers will work with individual landowners to help them identify the best practices and land use options for their property.

Regional Councillor Jane Nees said the campaign is about raising awareness of the need for landowners to sustainably manage their land and protect the waterways that flow through their properties.

“Ensuring we engage in sustainable practices now will have a significant effect on the health of our land and waterways further down the track. We need to keep the bigger picture in view, but work through the smaller steps to get there. This programme aims to get that information and that knowledge into the right hands and then work alongside those people to ensure we are all working towards the same goal.”

The toolkits cover erosion proofing, pollution proofing, weather proofing, pest proofing and soil health.

For copies of the toolkits please visit www.boprc.govt.nz/futureproofyourland or to speak to a Tauranga Harbour Land Management Officer, please phone 0800 884 880.

ENDS

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