The Southland farm community is facing uncertainty with unclear messaging from Environment Southland on nutrient limits, targets and timelines for freshwater rules, says farmer and council deputy chair Jeremy McPhail.
At an Environment Southland public strategy and policy committee meeting held last week, the council confirmed nutrient limits will form part of the 2027 plan change but “what these will look like is yet to be determined”.
McPhail voted no to a 2025 plan change, expressing frustration about the process and the lack of information the council is providing to the community in regards to setting nutrient limits and targets.
Councillors reached a number of resolutions at the meeting.
Changes to the Southland Water and Land Plan and Regional Policy Statement, giving full effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, will be notified by the end of 2027, and earlier if practicable.
The council also confirmed messaging around freshwater reforms.
The council will be working with communities over the next two years to develop catchment plans that detail the actions the community wishes to take to improve freshwater.
“Those responsible for the greatest environmental impact will need to make a greater contribution,” an Environment Southland spokesperson said.
“Limits will form part of the 2027 plan change but what these will look like is yet to be determined. A reference period will be used in the future, and we encourage landowners to record information from the last 10 years (for example, a reference period of July 2014 to June 2019) on land use area and type, stock types and numbers, fertiliser use, and actions adopted on farm.”
The council directed staff to continue scoping a plan change to the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan and Regional Policy Statement to set long-term goals, address minor issues and enable improved environmental practice for notification in the first half of 2025.
Earlier this month the council said in a press release that, despite the government announcing a pause to the rollout of the national farm plan system, in Southland implementing farm plans is underway as they form a key part of the Southland Water and Land Plan.
Environment Southland chair Nicol Horrell said while there’s some detail still to be worked through around timing, farmers should start pulling together the information for farm plans.
As part of the 2025 plan change, Environment Southland will be updating the farming rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan to provide an option of using a farm plan as a potential alternative to some consenting requirements.
