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Driven to help others.
Change necessary for sustainable future. PAGE 25
PAGE 10
Rural health advocate recognised. PAGE 15
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS DECEMBER 1, 2020: ISSUE 715
www.ruralnews.co.nz
‘It’s only a draft!’
CRUNCH TIME! PETER BURKE
DAVID ANDERSON
TIMARU DISTRICT Council (TDC) is scrambling to appease angry reaction over proposed rules in its draft district plan that will severely impact on farming. Last month, Rural News revealed that TDC’s proposed district plan – that has just finished its first tranche of public consultation – included a number of controversial proposals including larger setbacks in rural areas from roads, boundaries and neighbouring houses for dairy sheds, stock yards
and “intensively farmed animals”. TDC communications manager Stephen Doran told Rural News any draft provisions that are finally adopted would only apply to new developments – not existing farming activities. “This is the first cut of the draft district plan and we’re expecting to refine and correct things in the period following this consultation.”
He also claims the concern over the rural setbacks relates to an “error” in a plan standard. “The intent of the standard is aimed at managing the adverse effects of new rural industries and factory farming,” Doran says. “It provides setbacks for new farm infrastructure such as effluent ponds, piggeries and milking sheds from neighbouring houses.
“There is no intention to include any setbacks for stock from boundaries. However, we think it’s important that there are setbacks for the more impactful rural activities in order to help protect the amenity of any adjacent residential zoned land or adjoining residents.” Doran says the draft plan is only a TO PAGE 4
Small but powerful A jubilant Norm Carter, chairman Te Kaha 15B Hineora Orchard, with the Ahuwhenua Trophy for Excellence in Horticulture. He was delighted to be called on stage in Rotorua last week in front of more than 750 dignitaries and whānau at a special gala awards dinner to receive the prestigious trophy. As the announcement was made by Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy, there were cries of jubilation from the Te Kaha group and they all quickly gathered on the stage to celebrate their success. This is the first time in the 87 year history of the competition that the trophy has been awarded for horticulture. Te Kaha 15B Hineora Orchard comprises of 11.5 hectares, on which the trust runs a kiwifruit joint venture operation, a commercial packhouse facility and the local kiwifruit spray company in which the trust holds shares. – See full coverage of the Ahuwhenua awards pages 6-7.
peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
WITH THE apple industry set to produce a bumper crop this season, there are fears that the sector will not be able to take advantage of this due to an impending labour shortage. Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Alan Pollard says it has a major programme underway to recruit New Zealanders to work in the sector in the main harvest period, which is February/March. He says his organisation is working actively with the Ministry of Social Development to recruit staff and is also looking at recruiting low risk prisoners to help. Students and senior citizens are also being targeted. “Clearly there is quite a large shortage and we are especially missing the RSE workers. We would normally have about 10,000 of them, but we predict there will be about 5000 in the country,” Pollard told Rural News. “Normally we have about 50,000 people on working holiday visas, but there will probably be about 10,000 and only a proportion of those will be available. So, we are struggling to find the number of people we need.” Pollard says original projections by government put the number of unemployed in December as being around 8%, but he says this figure is now unlikely to be reached until
Photo: Alphapix Photography
PROUD TO BE LOCAL? THE FEELING’S MUTUAL.
There are plenty of good reasons for being local right now. As a 100% NZ-owned mutual, we’ve always been proud to be local—and to act local. That’s why you’ll see us at events (when we can) all over the country supporting those who support us. Most of our team live and work in the same region as their clients, which makes it easy to come to the farm and share specialist insurance and risk advice. When we’re not on farm with you, we’re only a phone call away to chat through things over the phone. If that sounds like the kind of local insurer you’d like to deal with, ask around about us or better still, give us a call on 0800 366 466. FMG1032RNFPS_L
We’re here for the good of the country.
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