Waterways plan will hit the laggards

The much anticipated Action for Healthy Waterways discussion document on freshwater management, the draft National Policy Statement (NPS) and National Environmental Standard (NES) are out for consultation until October 17.

In all discussions about freshwater it is important to acknowledge the significant work and improvements that have been made by most farmers in Southland during the past few years. The number of catchment groups that have sprung up and increased awareness of environmental issues is impressive.

However, the reality is that historical poor oversight of our urban and rural waterways has left us with significant water quality issues to clean up.

Last summer only six out of 40 monitored swimming spots in Southland were deemed swimmable, so it’s clear more needs to be done.

The discussion document is wide ranging and I would encourage everyone to read it rather than get your information from social media or via radio shock jocks.

My initial impression is that the aforementioned good farmers who have taken the right steps around fencing waterways, running moderate stocking rates and fertiliser regimes and running good-practice wintering will not be significantly affected. Neither will those who farm on hill country with a stocking rate below 14 stock units per hectare (that’s most). Good farmers

They are largely

who have

unaffected, given their already light footprint. taken the

Those who will be

right steps . . .

affected are the laggards who have not adjusted will not be

their practices, and those

significantly

running high-input systems that have affected.

significant levels of nutrient leaching.

The key here will be giving them a reasonable amount of time to transition, which NZ First will be advocating.

The other affected parties will be district councils, which will be set a higher bar and will not be able to run roughshod over regional council standards. It’s only fair that everyone plays their part.

On another issue, last week I was subjected to an unfortunate personal attack in this publication by Clutha-Southland electorate MP Hamish Walker.

He suggested that Dr Liz Craig and I do not care about Southland mothers and babies, which is offensive and untrue.

I can assure the people of Southland that I have been, and will continue to be, actively involved in holding the Southern District Health Board to account for its responsibilities to Northern Southland mothers.

There has been good progress recently, led by Gore mayor Tracy Hicks, to increase midwifery cover for emergency births.

I have represented community views directly to relevant ministers. What I’m not into is grandstanding and spreading unnecessary angst for personal political gain.