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Oxford - Ohoka Community Board
As local MP for Waimakariri I am acutely aware of the importance of our farming sector, and often say that when farmers do well, we all do well. New Zealand farmers are the backbone of electorates like Waimakariri, support the wider national economy, and are world leaders in their field. Last year, New Zealand’s agriculture exports totalled $41 billion, or 63 per cent of our goods exports. As such a key part of our economy, it’s been disappointing to watch the sector face unreasonable and often unmanageable demands from a Labour Government hellbent on bureaucracy at all costs. Labour has introduced or changed more than 20 new or amended regulations that directly affect the ability of businesses in the agricultural sector to operate. I have spoken to farmers in our district who are becoming increasingly frustrated with the hoops they are expected to jump through, with many seriously considering the future of their farms. Wetlands are so poorly defined that farmers are having to go to court to determine whether the land can be farmed, while others have to navigate having a Significant Natural Area (SNA) on their land. Because farmers are spending so much time trying to work with Labour’s new rules, they have less to invest in their farms, risking lower productivity. Costs are passed on to consumers so we all end up paying for Labour’s over-regulation. It’s no surprise then the cost of food in New Zealand is at a 30-year high. Labour has overridden local communities and imposed one-size-fits-all rules with massive compliance costs for farmers, often for limited or no environmental gain. National’s recently-announced Getting back to Farming package will cut the red tape to help farmers get on with doing what they do best – farming. And when they get back to farming the rest of us will benefit. We’ll ensure farming regulations are fit for purpose, and protect our environment, as domestic and overseas consumers expect. We will also return the management of local issues to local councils rather than running everything out of Wellington. National will deliver a professional, competent regulatory system that targets environmental outcomes without telling farmers how to run their businesses, and while imposing the minimum compliance costs on them. This country does not need more rules, it needs better regulation. National will be announcing more policy on agriculture in the coming months. In government, we will deliver results to ensure all New Zealanders get ahead.
Matt Doocey MP for Waimakariri
Rangiora Office Level 1, Conway Building, 188 High Street 03 310 7468 waimakariri@parliament.govt.nz
update with
Thomas Robson
Hi Folks It has been a busy time for the Oxford Ohoka Community Board, with work continuing on submissions on the Councils Annual Plan and ECANs Annual Plan. We have included feed back received from the Community on our Facebook page and in person. There has been a lot of interest and support generated for our Submission against the Woodstock Quarries resource consent application to build a landfill at their current site. We are preparing expert evidence and collating the Communities perspective so as to be able to present this to the Commissioners at the Hearing starting 16th May at the Oxford Town Hall. It has been pleasing to see the development of the Oaks Walk Way over the last couple of years as this has been a long term Community Board project which is now a real asset for the area and which show cases Oxford’s natural beauty. The wild flowers looked stunning this year so we hope that they will continue to flourish there. The Wolffs Road suspension bridge has generated a lot of community interest with the Council proposing to disestablish the centre section of the bridge. There have been a number of submissions which is pleasing to see and shows that the Community is keen to be involved in decision making. For those of you who have missed it we now have a facebook page, (Oxford-Ohoka Community Board) where we keep you up to date with what has been discussed at meetings, and what projects we are working on, as well as any up coming road works or infrastructure projects in the area. We also post the times, locations and dates of our meetings so that should you wish to come and talk to us in the public forum portion of the meeting you are able to. This year we have had a number of people come to discuss their concerns and or ideas regarding issues such as recycling, road safety, pot holes, reserve maintenance, etc and we welcome their presence and input at our meetings and encourage anyone interested to come along. Please remember that we do have funds available to grant to deserving Community groups, the information on how to apply for this money is on the Councils website under Community Boards. The Board welcomes feedback from the Community so please contact your local Board members as listed on the Council Website or you can contact me directly at Thomas.robson@wmk.govt.nz
Kaiapoi Office 137 Williams Street, Kaiapoi 03 327 0514 kaiapoi@parliament.govt.nz Funded by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by M Doocey, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
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