Dairy resource consent consultation agreed

Environment Southland has committed to introducing a policy that will require new dairy conversions to gain a resource consent from next April, and to consult intensively between now and then on the details.

Last week, councillors voted to accept a transitional policy on the effects of new dairy farming, but agreed to defer the implementation of the new regime after hearing from farming representatives, the dairy industry and rural professionals.

The proposed policy is to manage the risk of adverse effects of new dairy farming on water quality by requiring a resource consent for the establishment and operation of new dairy farms and by requiring each farm to have a management plan that will address any environmental effects.

The consultation would focus on how the new rules would be applied, rather than whether there should be rules on new dairy conversions at all, chairwoman Ali Timms said.

Last month, the council signalled it could require new dairy conversions to get a resource consent as early as last Saturday.

However, after extensive discussion at the meeting, council staff were instructed to embark on an immediate and limited period of further consultation.

It was the opportunity for key stakeholders, including Federated Farmers and the dairy industry, to take part in the "active and constructive" consultation they had sought, Ms Timms said.

Prior to the meeting, Federated Farmers said it was "pleading" with the council to bring the community into the discussion over the proposed new rules.

The outcome of the consultation will be confirmed at a special meeting on April 4 and the new regime will come into effect on April 14.

The public will then have the opportunity to make submissions, followed by a period when submitters can make further comment on other people's submissions.