No longer a Regional Councillor – but I still care…
There are currently two key regional council policy issues out for consultation. The first, for which submissions close on 30th November, is the Draft Regional Pest Management Strategy. The second, not due to close until 8th February 2011, is the next Proposed Regional Policy Statement. Both have wide implications to us all, and I strongly recommend that you read up on them and put in a submission.
I know many of you will consider this a waste of time, but I can assure you that if you want change you need to act. My advice is to limit your submission to just a handful of key points, and that you should wish to be heard.
Those who are heard do have the ability to affect the outcome.
Just sending in a written submission won't necessarily mean that the hearing panel give your submission the same level of attention as it does for those who appear in person. Again if you do appear, only highlight a couple of key points, so that your submission is really focused.
My main concern with the Draft Pest Management Strategy is that while your regional council retained gorse as a 'boundary pest” across the region, and a 'control pest” in priority catchments, this does not include the catchments of all of the Rotorua Lakes, nor within the catchment of the Tauranga Harbour. Scientific research indicates that gorse fixes nitrogen at a similar level to intensive dairying, and with the nutrification issues (including sea lettuce proliferation) facing our harbour it is essential that we remove gorse from all our sensitive catchments – and this includes the catchments feeding into our harbour.
Your Regional Council staff has often been reluctant to seek landowner compliance for weeds and pests, saying that enforcement would be problematic. I have never agreed with this.
They need sound policy, backed up with a strong enforcement policy, if we are to ensure a sustained environment. We need to strengthen the tool-box for council action in this area – not walk away from the problem. If you agree with me I ask you to put in a submission. Time is short – you only have until the end of the month…
If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me.
Andrew von Dadelszen
[email protected]