Plan Change 1 public meeting
Two environmental advocates say the government should pause the Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1 rather than put farmers through a compliance process that could soon be overtaken by resource management reforms.
Cambridge farmer Graham Pinnell and Maungatautari’s Bill Garland were among those who spoke at last week’s farmer meeting at Mystery Creek. More than 350 people gathered to discuss the future of the long-running water quality plan.
Tamahere farmers Ian and Michele Alexander listen as in the background Cambridge farmer Bill Garland, a long-time environmental pioneer, puts the case for Plan Change 1 to be paused. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Garland has spent more than five decades farming at Maungatautari while holding leadership roles in farming, conservation and environmental organisations, including Federated Farmers, the Waikato Conservation Board and the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust.
Garland said farmers had shown they were willing to make environmental improvements, but regulation should support practical action rather than create unnecessary complexity.
Pinnell asked why farmers should commit to a system that could soon be replaced.
The Whitehall sheep, beef and dairy support farmer has long advocated for improved water quality but argues effort and money should be directed into environmental improvements rather than compliance systems that may soon be superseded.
Whitehall farmer Graham Pinnell wrapped up the questions from the floor. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
He said farmers were looking for certainty.
Pukekohe grower Peter Reynolds, whose family business produces vegetables, kiwifruit and livestock across more than 200 hectares, warned overly prescriptive rules could affect employment in the vegetable sector, where many Pacific Island workers support families back home through money earned in New Zealand.
• See: Caught in limbo, King Country Farmer.
PMaungatautari farmer Bill Garland called for a culture change. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
