North Canterbury News: March 19, 2020

RURAL LIFE
30 North Canterbury News, March 19, 2020
Nod for plan change
Farmers feel effects of virus
Aplan change to address a
10 percentnutrient
allocation limit in the
originalHurunui Waiau
River Regional Plan
(HWRRP),which left
dryland farmershigh and
dry, has been giventhe
thumbs­upbyEnvironment
Canterbury (ECan).
Thecouncil lastweek
accepted the
recommendations of an
independent hearingpanel
on PlanChange1tothe
plan, whichaddresses the
cumulative effects of land
useonwater qualityand
allowsdrylandfarmers to
operate withoutthe need
for resourceconsent.
ECancouncillorClaire
McKaysays the HWRRP
currently requires
resource consent for all
farms wherenutrient
losseshaveincreased by
more than 10%since
2013.
‘‘Drylandfarmshave very
low nutrient lossrateswith
normalfluctuationsin
stock numbers or winter
feedarea,which can
trigger aconsent
requirement.
‘‘This planchange
addresses that,’’ she says.
Amuri Irrigation
Company Limited (AIC)has
❛It will ensure that
water quality in the
zone is maintained
within the plan
limits.❜
—CrClaire McKay
agreed to apply to
surrender aproportion of
its consentednitrogen load
to off­setany potential
increaseinnitrogenload
fromthis planchangeand
make sure theHurunui
Riverdoesnot exceed the
in­stream limit set in the
original plan.
Cr McKaysays the move
by AICwill happenonce
the Plan Change 1rulesare
beyond challenge.
“It willensure thatwater
qualityinthe zone is
maintained withinthe plan
limits.”
The planchange willbe
subjecttoanappealperiod
of 15 working days.Only
appealsonpoints of law
can be filedinthe High
Court.
Onceany appealshave
beenresolved,the plan
changecan become
operative.
By STAFF REPORTERS
The uncertainty around the
coronavirus pandemic is adding
yet another headache for North
Canterbury farmers.
Federated Farmers North
Canterbury president Cameron
Henderson and North
Canterbury Rural Support Trust
chairman Andy Munro say dry
conditions, the ongoing effects of
Mycoplasma bovis and
coronavirus, and this week’s
5.1­magnitude earthquake near
Culverden are creating
uncertainty.
‘‘The effects of the virus seem
to be changing day to day, as we
have seen with share markets
and travel bans,’’ Mr Henderson
says.
‘‘The forestry sector and
seafood sector seem to be feeling
the greatest pain, followed
closely by the meat sector.’’
He says the dairy industry
appears to be faring the best as
markets seem to be more stable,
and drought conditions have
probably helped keep prices up.
‘‘Luckily, our main market in
China seems to be getting on top
of the virus so it would be great to
see areturn to normal trading
happening soon.
‘‘Things are dry, but most
farmers seem to be surviving
OK.’’
Mr Munro says the Rural
Support Trust is exploring ways
Cameron Henderson ... ‘‘The effects of the virus seem to be changing day
to day, as we have seen with share markets and travel bans.’’
to help people stay connected
now that large gatherings are
being cancelled.
‘‘I went to the Cheviot A&P
Show at the weekend and it was a
good event, and agood chance for
people to catch up and have a
chat.’’
He says it is important for
people to get out while they are
able to and support local
businesses and the wider
community.
‘‘It’s good that people are being
proactive and postponing or
cancelling overseas trips.
‘‘I would encourage people to
get along and support your local
coffee shop and local businesses.
It’s amatter of everybody being
aware and thinking of others, and
try to support each other.’’
Mr Munro says there could be
implications for large funerals
and family gatherings, while
school sports events may be in
doubt.
‘‘Hopefully we can get rain and
at least that will take drought out
of the equation.’’
He reminds people that the
trust is available to help by
phoning 0800 787 254.
‘‘Too often people think they
are the only one in that situation,
but as soon as they look out the
door they realise everyone else is
in the same boat.’’
www.gdruralskills.co.nz
2263323