Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
Dairy farmers cautiously welcome the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill introduced at Parliament today, but are concerned it may not go far enough.
"What we have is a Bill that looks to make the RMA less costly and cumbersome, and these are positive changes," says Federated Farmers' Environment and RMA spokesperson Chris Allen.
"Federated Farmers believes the Bill provides for better plan making and we support the introduction of a collaborative planning approach as long as the right checks and balances are in place, so that this is a robust and productive process."
Other key aspects of the Bill supported by Federated Farmers are:
• Addressing the duplication between the RMA and other acts. An example being the conflict between what the Building Act sets as levels of flood protection and the different standards in some local government plans.
• Proposed changes requiring councils to make their plans clear and concise, and their processes timely and efficient.
• Overdue changes to the Public Works Act, which on the face of it will provide for easier and fairer compensation when the rights of landowners are taken away or significantly reduced.
• Simplification of the planning system which will hopefully allow those farmers who seek to enhance the wetlands on their properties, or who need to clear out a waterway without needless and costly bureaucratic processes getting in the way.
While welcoming these proposed changes and looking forward to playing an active role in the legislative process, Federated Farmers is concerned the reforms don't go far enough.
"As it stands in this Bill, farmers will continue to face restrictions on what they can do on farmland which is classified as an 'outstanding natural landscape'. This unfairly limits farmers' ability to plant trees, add new buildings and install new fences, which ironically is what the Bill wants farmers to do to keep stock away from lakes and rivers," says Allen.
"Federated Farmers would have liked to see greater consideration of economic benefits and property rights. We also called for parity in the consultation required with landowners affected by local government plans and rules, for instance around rezoning or applying a package of rules that restrict farming activities."
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.