Next steps for the One Plan
Released 10 Sep 2010
Tessa Mills, Federated Farmers policy advisor
The determinations of the One Plan have been released and Federated Farmers is encouraging farmers to research what the plan may mean for them. The plan was initially notified back in 2007 but determinations from an independent hearing panel were released for all chapters a couple of weeks ago. Federated Farmers staff and elected representatives are now in the process of trawling through the revised document to ensure that any appeal points can be identified and submitted before the end of the appeal period in mid-November.
The document has a critical impact on resource use within our region and must balance the sometimes conflicting demands of economic, environmental, social and cultural wellbeing of the region's residents. For a region such as the central North Island, dominated by a rural landscape, regional plans must provide for the continued prosperity of productive land use, but also attempt to protect the very resources upon which these industries rely. For hill country farmers, the land and biodiversity chapters are likely to cause the most concern, where as for dairy farmers the water chapters have the main impact.
Federated Farmers has invested significant resources in the One Plan process so far, and from the determinations released in late August, we see some important changes within the document which are positive for our farming communities. Federated Farmers will continue to take an active role in the plan process as we head into the appeal phase, but contributions to this process are welcome from all farmers within the region.
To find out how the One Plan may affect you or to give feedback on your concerns to the appeal process, please attend one of the public meetings being run by Federated Farmers in September. An expert panel will be on hand to help. Meetings are at: Marton Rugby Clubrooms at 11am on 22 September; Woodville Racecourse at 11am and Te Kawau Rugby Clubrooms, Rongotea at 6pm on 23 September; and Peaks Motor Inn, Ohakune at 7pm on 28 September.
For more information, call your local field officer or Angela Hogg on 027 432 0174 or 0800 FARMING or email on angelah@fedfarm.org.nz.
