Omarama to host briefing on new farming rules
Farmers in the Omarama area will get to ask questions about changes to farming land use consent rules from Environment Canterbury at an upcoming briefing on 22 March at 3pm.
Event details
- When: 22 March 2019
- Where: Omarama Community Centre
- Contact: Ian ‘Whit’ Whitehouse
Key focus areas
The briefing, to be held at the Omarama Community Centre, will focus on Plan Change 5 to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan. Further information for farmers about Plan Change 5 is available at www.canterburywater.farm/pc5/.
The event will be hosted by the Upper Waitaki Water Zone Committee, who helped shape the planning changes by providing recommendations to councils.
Water Zone Committee Chair, Simon Cameron, says the aim of the event is to ensure people are aware of what the plan change means in reality for farmers and aquaculture businesses in the area. “Although many farmers have heard of the plan change, they may not know exactly how it will impact their operation.
It includes rules and limits for farming and aquaculture to manage nutrients and some farms will require a land use consent to farm.
“Some farmers already have to do Farm Environment Plans and nutrient budgets as part of their water take consents. So, there is likely to be confusion about what the plan change will mean.
The Braided River Project (BRIDGE)
The PC5 briefing will be followed by an update on Environment Canterbury’s Braided River Project (called BRIDGE) which is trying to clarify the extent of the “river bed” in a braided river and protect braided river values from further encroachment.
The Ahuriri River has been one of the four river reaches in the BRIDGE Project.
Find out more about the project and braided rivers.
*Image: This Omarama farmer has fenced off a wetland to reduce run-off into the waterway and protect native species.