RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Healthy waterways require quality workmanship The fencing industry will see an influx of work with Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020 having come into effect on 3rd September. However, maintaining quality workmanship while keeping up with the work will be its biggest challenge, Marlborough-based contractor and Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCNZ) board member Mike Renner says. With tens of thousands of kilometres of waterways due to be fenced by 2025, the majority of which is on sheep, beef and deer farms, the cost of implementing these regulations is expected to top NZ$1 billion. This year’s Budget included funding to support the changes, including riparian planting and fencing, meaning an influx of work for the fencing industry. “It’s a lot of work that needs to be done in such a short period of time,” Mr Renner says. More workers will need to be brought in to carry out the work and this needs to be controlled. It’s important that the high quality of workmanship in the industry is maintained with the upsurge in work and contractors will need support to do this. One way to achieve this is involving Certified Fencers to oversee projects and make sure the quality of work is there, Mr Renner says. “If you have some sort of clause in
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the agreement that a Certified Fencer has to carry out the work or sign the job off, then that helps maintain a quality control.” Good decision making at the start of the exercise — when awarding the work — has long term consequences with regards to longevity and lowering maintenance. Mr Renner hoped the government would work with both FCNZ as the industry body and farmers to find solutions to issues. “They’ve got to have their eyes a bit more open to implementation and practicalities to assist and not hinder farmers. It’s got to go both ways.” For example, farmers would be left with a “heck of a lot” of maintenance once the fencing was in place, from things such as flood damage. “And you can't expect them to meet that cost.” He added fencing off rivers in the high country would not work and a system needs to be put in place, like a water quality rating. “If the river is clean, like most high-country water catchments, that will pass a clean bill of health and shouldn't be touched but reviewed every 5 years, for example. “There are other options like fencing off some water catchments that lead into the main rivers and planting these areas to do their bit.” The fencing industry is in good stead to meet the challenge ahead of it and there are plenty of positives, Mr Renner
| The fencing industry is in good stead to meet the challenge of the stock exclusion regulations.
says. Implementing the stock exclusion regulations will require good planning and the right support in place. To find out more about Certified Fencers and the Fencing Contractors Association of NZ, visit www.fencingcontractors.co.nz or call 0508 432 269. Article Supplied by FCNZ
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