SDC to prioritise plan change for plantation forestry

At its final meeting of the 2019-2022 triennium in Te Anau yesterday, the council discussed concerns that productive farmland and high country areas were being lost to plantation forestry, with associated environmental degradation.

Plantation forestry was identified as an activity that could significantly impact natural features and landscapes.

The District Plan policy framework currently limits council’s ability to manage the location of proposed forestry practices and, as a result, manage any potential adverse effects on the environment within areas identified as having outstanding natural features and landscapes.

This work is part of a larger review of Section 2.3 of the District Plan – Natural Features and Landscapes, which Council endorsed in June 2020.

“Since this endorsement the need to prioritise a review of the rules around plantation forestry to protect our natural features and landscapes has become apparent,” says Margaret Ferguson, SDC resource management policy planner.

“Southland has some incredible natural spaces and this is all about looking after what we’ve got for future generations.”

Work began in 2020 to review the Natural Features and Landscapes section of the District Plan.

A three-pronged approach is being undertaken to identify important landscapes and natural features in the district, with a desktop study by landscape architects highlighting areas of potential importance, a cultural landscape assessment and community views.

A campaign called What’s your view? was launched in 2020. Its aim was to work alongside the community to gather feedback that could help to identify important landscapes and natural features in the district. The objective is to protect these natural features and landscapes for future generations.