WelcomeWe’re pleased to see the work you and your fellow Tukituki landowners are doing to complete the actions in your Farm Environmental Management Plans (FEMPs) and the progress made to meet the rules of the Tukituki Plan Change. As we approach the next key deadline in May 2020 it is important to remember we are not at the end of the process yet. Resource ConsentsHawkes Bay Regional Council (HBRC) will require you to apply for a Resource Consent by 31 May 2020 if the following applies:
HBRC estimate 400 of the 1100 Tukituki landowners will require consents due to Nitrogen exceedances. The number unable to meet stock exclusion rules by 31 May 2020 is unknown. The requirement to have a resource consent is understandably concerning to those not familiar with the process as it is seen as a need to outline their ‘right to farm’. However, the council has a legal obligation to follow this process when deciding whether to grant resource consents for activities that might affect the environment. This link will show you what the Ministry for the Environment describe as ‘An everyday guide to applying for a resource consent’. I’ll leave it with you to decide how simple it looks! In addition to this you may need to understand required farm system changes that could significantly affect your productivity and profitability into the future. Along with local case study farmers, I was involved with Greening Tukituki, managed by MyFarm agribusiness consultant Rachel Baker. Greening Tukituki is aimed at determining how Tukituki catchment farmers will operate under their N targets. Practices such as reduced intensity, cropping practices, irrigation management and feed-pad use were key mitigations that assisted in reducing N loss. However, not surprisingly given the farm systems modelled, the study found that significant changes will have to be made to meet each farm’s nitrogen target. It also found that farmer’s want some certainty as to their legal security if large scale investments or farm system changes need to be made. What are your options?Option 1: Do nothing. It’s all too confusing, you’re busy with other stuff, it’s someone else’s fault, the rules are unrealistic and hopefully it will all go away. Option 2: Understand your requirements and do what’s best for your business. The first answer is understandable, but you run the risk of future enforcement action. If you want to take the second option we can help. We are already working with some pro-active landowners to understand what they will need to do through the consenting process. In some cases we may be able to help them avoid it completely. Given the complexity it can be a difficult process so plenty of time is needed, the sooner you get in touch the better. In most cases we already have more questions than answers. Shareholder meetingRavensdown Environmental’s Principle Planner, Victoria Caseley (see profile on right) will be in Hawkes Bay in mid-June and we are holding a meeting where you can find out what we know to date about the Tukituki consenting process and what Ravensdown can do to help.
Victoria and I are also happy to meet with more complex businesses one on one to discuss individual requirements. Want to find out more?Email us on environmental@ravensdown.co.nz, get a referral through your agri manager or reach our team through the Customer Centre on 0800 100 123. You are welcome to contact Courtney Stewart, Chris Tidey or myself if you have dealt with us historically. We are ready and able to help and look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Principal Consultant-Environmental |
HBRC Procedural GuidelinesIn April I attended a meeting at HBRC where council staff received feedback on their work to date from industry representatives. The meeting focussed on how to deal with the scale and complexity of the approaching consenting process in the Tukituki. Issues discussed included:
Another meeting is scheduled for early July and the guidelines are scheduled to be confirmed by August. Planning ServicesFarmers in Hawkes Bay are not alone in facing the challenges of environmental compliance. This has been recognised by Ravensdown and why we have an in-house Environmental planning service to assist our customers. We employ industry recognised professional planners who are already working in Canterbury, Southland, Otago, Waikato, Greater Wellington and Hawkes Bay. The planning team is headed by Victoria Caseley, our Principal Planner based in Christchurch. Her team’s role is to work with farmers and their advisors to enable an effective resolution for planning and environmental issues. She has a wealth of experience in planning, gained from working in both private consultancy and for council. Victoria is experienced with writing and assessing resource consent applications, legislation, Regional and District plans and compliance management. She can draw on this experience to assist farmers to meet and manage planning and environmental challenges. As a farmer herself facing the need to comply with the Canterbury Regional Plan, Victoria understands and can relate to the uncertainties, costs and frustrations that can arise from consenting and compliance requirements.
Victoria Caseley, Ravensdown Principle Planner |
