Government Mulling Plan Change 1 Intervention
The Government is looking at intervening on behalf of Waikato farmers who face new regulations around agricultural land use while Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms are underway.
Under the council’s Variation 6 rules, dairy farmers can still take up to 15m3 per day from bores or waterways for dairy shed use, subject to water availability, but need a consent is needed to take more.
Though they must apply for a consent, farmers are assured of ‘grandparented’ access to the level above 15m3 per day they were using at October 2008 provided they meet the deadline for applications. Those who don’t meet the deadline can’t be guaranteed access to the ‘grandparent’ rules.
The council campaigned to educate farmers; DairyNZ, dairy companies and Federated Farmers were supportive.
The council says its special group consent processing scheme also encouraged early applications en masse to help keep down processing costs. “We have almost the expected number of applications,” says farm water project manager Amy King. “We urge remaining farmers wanting a grandparented consent at 2008 levels to meet the deadline.”
Farmers not covered by the ‘grandparent’ provisions should contact the council to discuss their individual circumstances so they can explore options to gain lawful access to water if they need a consent. The contact number is 0800 800 402.
Advice on consenting is also available from dairy companies or by visiting www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/watertakes
King says Variation 6 itself was a response to the environmental pressure resulting from increased demand for water. And the new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management also reflects the increased pressure on water resources.
King says the need for enough water in the ground or in waterways, to sustain their uses means there is a risk of restrictions on access to water.
But farmers with limits to their water may improve water use efficiency, transfer water permits between parties and/or collect and store water at high flow times for use at other times.
“We are aware there are farmers who have reduced their water usage in the dairy shed through a variety of efficiency gains which has enabled them to milk more cows but with no increase in their overall shed water needs” says King. “DairyNZ in particular has looked into and provided advice to farmers about such options.”
