Farmers hail changes to Resource Management Act
Changes to resource management laws announced last week will spare thousands of farmers from needing an unnecessary resource consent just to keep farming.
The Waikato Regional Council says grants of up to more than $750,000 from the Waikato River Authority for environmental projects are a sign of the solid partnership between the two agencies.
“The eight projects involving the council that are being funded in the authority’s latest round will help us make a real difference,” says council chief executive Vaughan Payne.
“I thank the authority for their financial support and the close collaboration we have developed to protect the environment.”
The grants for projects involving the council were part of a total $4.4 million in funding announcements for 40 projects overall.
A maximum of $300,000 will go the council for investigating ways to protect and restore the Whangamarino wetland.
Nearly $118,000 will be available for an important project looking at ways to effect land use change in the Upper Waipa River catchment.
More than $88,000 is available for a planting project at Lake Whangape and $87,000 for Lake Waahi wetland restoration.
Another $63,000 will go towards Okohua Stream riparian restoration, $57,000 is for restoring the Moanatuatua peat bog and $32,500 is available for restoration of Lake Waikare’s northern foreshore.
Finally $8000 will go to the council in partnership with police to remove car bodies and waste from the Waikato River and Lake Karapiro.
“This is a great continuation of investment in cleaning up the Waikato and Waipa rivers. The Healthy Rivers Wai Ora plan change will help protect this ongoing investment.”
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.