Tuesday, 14 March 2023 15:55

Cut the red tape - Feds

Written by  Leo Argent
Fed Farmers president Andrew Hoggard is asking Environment Minister David Parker to promptly amend the RMA to enable cycloneaffected farmers and growers to undertake remedial work. Fed Farmers president Andrew Hoggard is asking Environment Minister David Parker to promptly amend the RMA to enable cycloneaffected farmers and growers to undertake remedial work.

Federated Farmers says it is pleased that Horizons Regional Council (Manawatu-Whanganui) has recognised the need to get work done on-farm by empowering them to fix infrastructure without getting consents.

"Common sense rather than red tape and costs, is what will speed the recovery of the food and fibre sector in cyclone-hit districts," Feds Tararua president Sally Dryland says.

Horizons had earlier posted advice about only allowing "like for like" replacement of culverts without consent, but advocacy from Dryland resulted in a quick policy U-turn.

The council's advice now is that, where infrastructure such as farm bridges and culverts had been damaged or destroyed, these can be replaced without the need for resource consent on the basis they are repaired or reinstated on a like for like basis. Culverts can also be replaced at a bigger size.

Dryaland said that it's all about building back better and smarter. "Why would you replace a culvert with the same sized one if it's just been washed away? No one wants to replace infrastructure with something that is destined to fail again in the next weather event."

Up until last year, farmers were empowered to put in things lie a culvert without needing a consent.

"That's what's needed to speed the recovery," Dryland said. "Let's not stop the right thing from happening because a ticket collector with a clipboard hasn't been onto the farm to see."

Meanwhile, Federated Farmers NZ president Andrew Hoggard has asked Environment Minister David Parker to promptly amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) to enable cyclone-affected farmers and growers to undertake remedial work that may be in breach of district or regional regulatory requirements, along similar lines to that provided to farmers following the Hurunui/Kaikōura earthquakes. Such works became a permitted activity, with modified notification requirements.

While the RMA provides some relief from normal requirements during and immediately following emergencies/adverse events, Hoggard said this will not cover all the urgent work that needs to be undertaken to restore farmers' and growers' operations.

"That legislation in the wake of the earthquakes was very helpful. Given the severity of the impact of the cyclones, with devastation to the land that appears to exceed that of the Christchurch earthquakes, the usual time-consuming RMA processes will impede progress."

More like this

Dr Mike Joy says sorry, escapes censure

Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.

Farmer anger over Joy's social media post

A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.

Featured

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.

National

Machinery & Products

Tech might take time

Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…

John Deere acquires GUSS Automation

John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy,…

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

A step too far

OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…

Save us from SAFE

OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter