June 1 2021
32 Victoria Street DARGAVILLE Kaipara’s Only Regional Newspaper | Kaipara owned and Operated
10,450 Copies DELIVERED FREE throughout the Kaipara
PHONE 09 439 6910
Concerns over implementation u by Andy Bryenton
A push to identify Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) has come into the spotlight as a potential part of the framework, which will inform the Resource Management Act’s replacement when ruling on activities allowed in farming and construction.
No contracts for wharf project
“We are confident that giving it some time …
P3
Hope for our rarest plant
At one point, it was down to two specimens in the wild …
P5
Library upgrade underway
Dargaville library closed last Friday and will remain off-limits …
P7
SNA designation is now becoming part of local government District Plans. “Kaipara District Council is currently reviewing its Operative District Plan with the intention of notifying a new (Proposed) District Plan late next year,” said Kaipara Mayor Dr Jason Smith. “That will contain the SNA mapping along with policies and rules (these are still to be developed). “Before the new plan is notified, we will be engaging with SNA landowners, iwi and the general public to develop the policies and rules for managing activities on SNA land. “Kaipara is planning on commencing this consultation towards the end of this year (2021). If land is identified as an SNA, it does not change how people can (and cannot) currently use their land. Any new provisions won’t kick in until the new District Plan is publicly notified.” What does this mean for future use of the 4,984 private land parcels in the Kaipara containing an SNA? West Coast Regional Council in the South Island instigated SNA-based activity restrictions in March of 2020. Its chief executive Mike Meehan commented: “It’s true you’ve never been able to do exactly as you please on these areas, but what the label does do is put more specific and onerous regulation on the property. You will need to jump through more hoops.” The image of taonga like Mount Cook or the Waipoua Forest may come to mind when the term SNA is mentioned, but the actual areas are far more diverse. The Far North District Council sent out 8,000
letters in May to landowners telling them that they have an SNA on their property. It equates to 42% of all land in the Far North. On June 2, former National Party MP for Northland Matt King will host a meeting in Kawakawa to address farmers’ concerns. “It’s communism by stealth,” says King, who insists he’s speaking as a farmer and not in a purely political role. “I think this is very much a land grab and a massive intrusion on our property rights. This should have everyone with a connection to the land joined in opposition.” Figures are tentatively lower in Kaipara. The Kaipara District Council has been mapping SNAs since at least p Mayor Dr Jason Smith and the Kaipara District Council are May of 2020. Consultants planning on commencing the SNA consultation towards the identified 3,579 rateable end of this year properties in the Kaipara that contain an SNA. That equates to fragmentation, reduction in population 59,209 hectares or 19% of the entire size or occupancy of native species, both Kaipara landmass. plants and animals. It means that, under Beef + Lamb New Zealand identified a broad interpretation of these rules, it SNA issues in its 2020 roadshow may be very hard to adaptively farm on presentation to farmers, citing some of SNA land. the regulations involved. Existing activities Factors such as these caused Federated within an SNA must not lead to the loss Farmers to call for the withdrawal of the (including cumulative loss) or degradation Waikato District Council’s entire District of the SNA’s ecological integrity. New Plan at the submissions stage due in large activities must avoid loss, disruption, part to SNA concerns. ¢
LOW COST
700cc QUIET, KAWASAKI POWERFUL ENGINE
HEAVY ENGINEERING
LOW SERVICING COSTS DESIGNED WITH SERVICING IN MIND
ROBUST 700CC SINGLE PACKS PUNCH LOCKABLE DIFFERENTIAL AND FULL ENGINE BRAKING
BUILT KAWASAKI STRONG USING KHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES TECHNOLOGY
OF OWNERSHIP
$17,995
+GST
WINDSCREEN AND WIPERS NOT INCLUDED AND ARE OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES. PRICE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WHILE STOCKS LAST.
RELIABILITY COMES STANDARD 09 439 0170
SEE YOUR LOCAL DEALER TODAY OR VISIT
www.kawasaki.co.nz
CA Motorcycles 104 Jervois St, Dargaville
ROUSE MOTORCYCLES
PH: 09 433 8471