Council plans irk livestock farmers

Farmers have labelled Christchurch City Council plans to regulate the movement of livestock on roads as ‘‘illogical’’ and ‘‘unworkable’’.

The council is proposing a raft of changes to rules governing how farmers move stock on roads.

The changes would require farmers to apply to the council for an assessment before moving sheep or cattle on roads listed as restricted in the proposed Stock on Roads Bylaw 2017. There are 72 roads on the list in Christchurch, 21 in Banks Peninsula and all roads in built-up areas are included.

An assessment would be needed to move dairy cattle across any road, unless the road was controlled by cattle stops.

There was also the possibility that fees would be charged for assessments or permissions, but the bylaw did not state how much they could be.

Victoria, James and George Howden, who farm on Banks Peninsula, said in a submission that they vigorously opposed having to obtain permission and possibly pay a fee to the council to carry out their farming operation.

They farm between three properties and said they must have the ability to move stock between them.

‘‘We can decide at short notice that stock need to be moved. It seems an illogical idea and who is going to give permission? Are they experienced farmers who are aware of all good farming practices?’’

The trio said the proposed changes were an ‘‘unworkable waste of council resources’’.

The council said the purpose of the bylaw was to regulate the movement of stock on roads to protect people, traffic and stock while safeguarding the condition of the road.

Federated Farmers senior policy adviser Angela Johnston said having to apply for permission to move stock and possibly having to pay a fee was of great concern to its members, who believed the proposal showed little understanding of the realities of farming.

‘‘Farmers care about their stock, and would never want them to meet harm whilst being driven down or across a road. Not only are stock financial assets, farmers genuinely care about their wellbeing.’’

Farmers took their responsibilities around stock crossings seriously and stock movements were generally necessary, Johnston said. ‘‘Landowners do not go to the time and trouble of moving stock across the road simply to provide stock with another view of the district.’’

Farmers were also concerned the council had the right to decide whether to grant or refuse permission.

‘‘This is perceived as a significant threat to their ability to farm.’’

National List MP and Speaker of the House David Carter has also joined the debate. In a submission, the Banks Peninsula farmer said he was not sure of the problem the council felt needed attention.

He said he frequently moved livestock about 600 metres between two farms he owned near Teddington. The animals had to be moved with urgency sometimes because the land was subject to rapid flooding. He said if droving was to become impractical, the council could consider opening up some unformed paper roads to move stock.

However, Ian Murray said he was supportive of any conditions to improve the safety of roads, especially Pigeon Bay Rd.

He said the road was frequently fouled by ‘‘thick cow s... and urine’’. Murray wanted to see an enforcement office live locally to respond promptly to reported hazards.

A council hearings panel will hear and consider the submissions today, before making a recommendation to the council, which received 18 submissions on the proposed bylaw, including four who were against, two in support and 12 who had concerns.

The panel will also consider changes to three other bylaws, including on traffic and parking, which would prevent people parking motorhomes, trailers or any other vehicle that cannot be moved on its own, on the street for more than seven days at a time. The bylaw would also restrict vehicles with advertising on them being parked on the roadside and would make it a fineable offence to park on a berm where there was a kerb.