Federated Farmers of New Zealand

 

Rotorua/Taupo

Introduction

Federated Farmers Rotorua/Taupo represents local farmers' views at two district councils and two regional councils.

Main Issues

The main issues in our province are centred around the Resource Management Act and especially treaty claims and water quality of the Waikato River. The level of council rates are also a concern.

• Federated Farmers submitted on Plan Changes 24 and 25 to the Taupo District Plan. These plan changes dealt with landscape protection and natural values.  Federated Farmers opposed the protection of rural ‘working' landscapes for amenity purposes, and does not support initiatives to protect and enhance rural amenity values at the expense of farming activities. Click here to download the submission.

• Federated Farmers submitted on Transpower's Notice of Requirement to designate a new electricity transmission corridor between Wairakei and Whakamaru in December 2010. Federated Farmers outlined the importance of fair compensation and easement agreements for land owners and also raised concerns around consent conditions. To download the submission, click here. 

The Regional Policy Statement (RPS) - This is a very important document for farmers in the entire Waikato Region because it might direct councils to have rules and control certain farming activities. To find out more about some of the topics in the Regional Policy Statement, please click the PDF below

Long Term Plans - Regional and district councils will each release their long term plan (LTP) for consultation in early 2012. The Long Term Plan sets rates and expenditure for 2012-13, the rating policy, and planned expenditure and debt to a ten year horizon.

Rotorua District Council (RDC) - Farmers are struggling with a high rate burden in Rotorua, and a district council increasingly focussed on supporting the tourism industry. Federated Farmers has made a strong case for farmers on rating policy in recent years. While rates have continued to grow 2011 was the first year, for some years, in which farmland's share of the total rate take reduced - albeit by only part of a percentage point. The recent rating revaluation in the Rotorua district resulted in a big drop in farm values, and RDC has responded by proposing to change the basis of the general rate from land to capital value as part of the 2012 LTP. Federated Farmers has been engaged with council throughout this process, trying to ensure that the drop in values for farms also produces a drop in rates. Our advocacy on this issue will be comprehensive, and we need the support of interested farmers.

Taupo District Council (TDC) - The situation in Taupo reflects constrained growth in recent years, high debt, and concerns that council may decide through the LTP to fund debt interest with rates. Late in 2011 TDC sought comment on their "Long-Term Options Debate". Federated Farmers sought commitment from council to an ongoing programme to reduce operating costs, with measurable targets, to address the debt issue. We contended that if TDC went ahead with debt funding from rates then it should be done with a transparent targeted uniform charge, with regular reporting to the community of progress on managing and reducing council debt. The LTP will be released in March for submissions.

Provincial news

To download a copy of the latest provincial media release, newsletter and column, please click here.

SURVEY ON SUSTAINABLE LAND USE AND PEST

APR Consultants of Rotorua, on behalf of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC), is surveying individuals and groups with an interest in the land in the Bay of Plenty, including land owners and managers, and others involved in pest management or land rehabilitation (e.g. land care groups). You and/or your organisation have been identified as having an active involvement in land management and we would value your input via this survey.

To fill in the survey download the PDF below.

Contact the Executive

Field Officer

Regional Policy Advisors

Federated Farmers 2011-2012 Directory

To download a copy of Federated Farmers 2011-2012 Directory click on the PDF below.

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