Media Release

9 May 2012

Soil erosion and land intensification focus of Plan

Reducing soil erosion on hill country land and the impact of land intensification are two key strategic focus areas in Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Land Management Operational Plan 2012/13.

Today’s HBRC Asset Management and Biosecurity Committee meeting reviewed the plan and is recommending the full council adopt it.

The plan describes how the activities of the Land Management team will help achieve the goals of HBRC’s Strategic Plan and Land & Water Management Strategy, which align with the draft Long Term Plan 2012-2022.

HBRC will be working with landowners with highly erodible land, providing more support for forestry , particularly where this can protect erodible land, provide resilience in droughts and storms and further improve water quality, and keep the farming enterprise intact.

The Land Management Team also plays a key role in managing the impact of intensified land use on water quality. This work includes providing expert advice on the effectiveness of mitigation strategies like riparian planting, community engagement activities, as well as nutrient management planning.

Asset Management & Biosecurity Committee Chairman Kevin Rose says the operational plan is a significant document, which is breaking new ground with its co-ordination of the work of the Land Management Team with the work of the wider organisation.

He says the plan and the work of the Land Management team are important elements in the integrated forward thinking approach of HBRC.
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