Thursday, 06 October 2022 15:55

SDC to prioritise plan change for plantation forestry

Written by  Staff Reporters
Southland District Council says it will prioritise the rules around plantation forestry. Southland District Council says it will prioritise the rules around plantation forestry.

Southland District Council (SDC) says it will prioritise the rules around plantation forestry as part of a wider review of the Natural Features and Landscapes plan change.

At its final meeting of the 2019-2022 triennium in Te Anau yesterday, the council discussed concerns that productive farmland and high country areas were being lost to plantation forestry, with associated environmental degradation.

Plantation forestry was identified as an activity that could significantly impact natural features and landscapes.

The District Plan policy framework currently limits council’s ability to manage the location of proposed forestry practices and, as a result, manage any potential adverse effects on the environment within areas identified as having outstanding natural features and landscapes.

This work is part of a larger review of Section 2.3 of the District Plan – Natural Features and Landscapes, which Council endorsed in June 2020.

“Since this endorsement the need to prioritise a review of the rules around plantation forestry to protect our natural features and landscapes has become apparent,” says Margaret Ferguson, SDC resource management policy planner.

“Southland has some incredible natural spaces and this is all about looking after what we’ve got for future generations.”

Work began in 2020 to review the Natural Features and Landscapes section of the District Plan.

A three-pronged approach is being undertaken to identify important landscapes and natural features in the district, with a desktop study by landscape architects highlighting areas of potential importance, a cultural landscape assessment and community views.

A campaign called What’s your view? was launched in 2020. Its aim was to work alongside the community to gather feedback that could help to identify important landscapes and natural features in the district. The objective is to protect these natural features and landscapes for future generations. 

More like this

No to pines

OPINION: Forests planted for carbon credits are permanently locking up NZ’s landscapes, and could land us with more carbon costs, says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE).

No more pines!

Forests planted for carbon credits are permanently locking up NZ’s landscapes, and could land us with more carbon costs, says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE).

Govt limits forestry conversions

Farmers have welcomed the Government’s move designed to limit farm to forestry conversions entering the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

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