Wednesday, 06 May 2015 16:39

Costly fight too much for HortNZ

Written by 
HortNZ’s Chris Keenan: “We are deeply concerned about this decision across the country.” HortNZ’s Chris Keenan: “We are deeply concerned about this decision across the country.”

An "unworkable and economically” damaging recent Environment Court decision will not be challenged by Horticulture New Zealand because of the cost and time involved.

The court’s decision to uphold an appeal by Ngati Kahungunu in Hawke’s Bay was based on the interpretation of the words “maintenance and enhancement” of freshwater bodies.  The court says those words mean the water quality within every single water body must be managed in a way that water quality is maintained or enhanced.  

HortNZ believes this interpretation will cause huge problems because it goes against the direction the Government has taken in its national policy for freshwater, which allows local communities to decide how their water bodies are maintained. 

HortNZ says the decision could be used to challenge the development of land across the country for any purpose.  

“This is simply unworkable.  Land use is always changing, to meet the needs of communities. This can’t always happen with nil effect,” HortNZ natural resources manager Chris Keenan says.

HortNZ says appeal costs could be $100,000 plus, and with the considerable and increasing grower commitments to farm planning, environmental research and water quality tools it cannot justify the expense. 

“We are deeply concerned about the effect of this decision across the country, but growers can’t afford to fight it alone, and the issue is not ours alone.”

Activities such as urbanisation, farming, development of roads and other infrastructure can all have adverse effects on freshwater. 

“Central government will need to take a long, hard look at this decision and the words used in it.  Because the way it reads now, activities like regional development, greenfields subdivision and infrastructure development can all be challenged if they have impacts on water quality,” Keenan says.

More like this

NZ growers lead freshwater compliance

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that commercial fruit and vegetable growers are getting ahead of freshwater farm plan regulations through its Growing Change project.

HortNZ supports new water storage plan

Horticulture New Zealand has welcomed the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s decision to advance plans for a new water storage facility on the Heretaunga Plains.

Featured

LIC Space folds for good

Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.

Editorial: Time for common sense

OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Are they serious?

OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…

A hurry up!

OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter