The ACT Party has launched a petition to stop Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change One.
Cambridge farmer, Garry Reymer, is calling on council to suspend costly reforms
The plan change, more than a decade in the making, seeks to improve Waikato River quality and is expected to cost farmers dearly. It is currently subject of an Environment Court appeal.
ACT’s petition, demanding the suspension of the plan alongside an economic evaluation, follows last triennium council chair’s Pamela Storey’s claim that only the Government can halt the plan change.
If that is so ACT, one of the coalition Government’s partners, has at least a chance of a hearing.
ACT MP Simon Court, who is spearheading the petition that has so far received more than 200 signatures, said the plan change would cost farmers.
“PC1 is going to require thousands of consents and entire parts of the Waikato region could be impossible to use for farming and growing.
“Instead, we’re going to have a new system, new plans for every region. We’re aiming to have the whole thing transitioned through into a new Natural Environment Act and Planning Act.”
The petition also states that PC1 threatens food production, jobs and the economy in one of New Zealand’s most productive regions.
Garry Reymer
Cambridge dairy farmer and new regional council member, Garry Reymer, has met with Court over the matter.
He felt Resource Management Act reforms could also scupper the plan change.
“What’s the point of spending money to comply when the plan might only be in place for nine months or so?” Reymer, Waikato Federated Farmers’ economics spokesperson, said.
“Even without PC1, there are still rules and guidelines. The big issue here is cost of compliance that may prove to be unnecessary anyway.”
Council’s view on the plan has been clear, given moves to implement it.
“Court couldn’t stress enough that the RMA was in for a major shakeup. Chris Bishop (the minister for RMA reform) has written to all councils asking them to stop any work on plan changes,” Reymer told The News.
“The Environment Court will make a decision, but how will council respond? The government is saying farmers should do nothing because most of the points will not be relevant under a new Resource Management Act.”
Reymer echoed Court’s concerns about the impact the plan change would have on farmers.
“The last thing we need is to have to import vegetables from Australia,” he said. “Most of our rural towns could then become ghost towns if farmers had to reduce production due to regulations.”
Reymer is not opposed to all plans.
“Do a farm plan. Most dairy farmers will probably have one as part of their supply agreements with the milk processors, and some sheep and beef farms could be covered by accredited supply agreements with meat processors as well,” he said.
“Farm plans shouldn’t be onerous; they won’t do you any harm and it’s actually good farming practice anyway.”
Farm environment plans help manage environmental risks while supporting profitability and sustainability. They record completed environmental work and suggest actions to further protect land and water quality.
