increase font size
The Waikato Regional Council is looking at One Plan and implications for its own water policies.
It wants farmers and other interested parties to have their say, as future opportunities arise, on any possible changes to the Waikato Regional Plan aimed at better protecting water quality in the Waikato and Waipa rivers.
The council's land and water quality subcommittee has received a briefing on implications for Waikato of the recent Environment Court decision on the Horizons Regional Council 'One Plan'. The court backed firm rules on rural land use to help protect water in the Manawatu-Whanganui area from farm nutrients.
The decision came as the Waikato Regional Council and its iwi partners consider their approach to water quality issues in the Waikato and Waipa catchments.
A staff report to the subcommittee on the One Plan decision emphasised the need for "Waikato solutions to Waikato issues" when it comes to protecting water quality in the region.
"What's appropriate for Manawatu-Whanganui may not necessarily be directly transportable to the Waikato and staff will consider closely what from the One Plan is relevant to us," policy group manager Vaughan Payne said before the meeting.
"The Waikato Regional Council stresses it will be keeping an open mind going forward on what the issues are in our area and the best solutions to address them."
After the briefing, subcommittee chairman Norm Barker said there will be opportunities for farmers and others, through their representative organisations, to have input into the review process.
Cr Barker said the council would be talking directly to its iwi partners and stakeholders about the review process, as well as publicising opportunities for the wider public to have their say.
"By engaging early in the process with the issues – as DairyNZ is doing in the Upper Waikato – we can hopefully save a lot of time in charting the way forward."
Rural Support Waikato is inviting farmers, growers, and rural communities to take a well-earned break and join us for 'Brunch on Us' - a series of all-sector, relaxed drop-in events across the region.
Waikato is home to a diverse range of lakes, and experts say they urgently need better management and restoration.
Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair Matthew Zonderop says two consecutive years of a $10 milk price is fantastic for New Zealand agriculture.
Last season was a mixed bag for Waikato contractors, with early planted forage maize, planted on the dry soils around Cambridge, doing badly after germination and failing to meet potential, says Jeremy Rothery, Jackson Contracting.
For those rural women who feel menopause might be getting the best of them, a series of events is heading to the Waikato that could help.
The Coalition Government will need the support of at least one opposition party to ratify the free trade deal with India.
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.
At Pāmu’s Kepler Farm in Manapouri, mating has wrapped up at the across-breed Beef Progeny Test.
More than 150 people turned up at Parliament recently to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).
Biosecurity New Zealand says Kiwis should continue to keep an eye out for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) over the holiday season.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…
