YOUR LEVY AT WORK
YOUR LEVY AT WORK INDUSTRY WIDE ISSUES FOR INDUSTRY GOOD
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT Words by Michelle Sands : HortNZ environment manager
Selwyn District Plan Selwyn District Council publicly notified the Proposed Selwyn District Plan on 5 October 2020. HortNZ worked with growers to develop a submission. HortNZ is currently participating in the hearing process. Key issues raised in the HortNZ submission included: • Greater recognition (and protection) of the soil resource. • Provisions for activities and buildings/structures that are an inherent part of horticulture – including seasonal workers’ accommodation, artificial crop protection structures, and packing and processing facilities. • Strengthening of the reverse sensitivity management methods. • Rules that enable a rapid biosecurity response should the need arise.
Otago Regional Policy Statement The Proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement 2021 sets the direction for future management of Otago's natural and physical resources. The proposed Regional Policy Statement provides high-level guidance by way of policies and objectives and establishes the framework for Otago's regional and district plans in which resource management policies, objectives and rules will sit.
8 NZGROWER : OCTOBER 2021
HortNZ has worked with growers to develop a submission on behalf of all Otago growers. Key issues raised in the HortNZ submission included: • People are part of the natural environment. Natural environmental limits should account for the essential human health needs of people. The social, economic and cultural well-being of all people must be provided for within natural environmental limits. • Food security is a nationally important issue which needs to be addressed at a strategic level, it is integral to human health. • Diversification of horticulture presents an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. • Highly productive land (HPL) should be recognised to promote its use (for primary production), as well as to protect it from inappropriate subdivision. • Growing fruits and vegetables in all regions of New Zealand, including Otago, is reliant on reliable supplies of fresh water.
Food security is a nationally important issue which needs to be addressed at a strategic level, it is integral to human health
