Please refer to the Quality Planning website for more information on Councils and Indigenous biodiversity see the Quality Planning pages
The main points from a meeting organised by The Waikato Biodiversity Forum and Environment Waikato to discuss issues related to biodiversity management and District Council Planning.
General Points
Regulatory mechanisms to apply not just to landowners and farmers but other resource users e.g. energy, roading and forestry
Have to get buy in from all the key players
Use LENZ, LCDB, overlay on aerials to find out sites of significant natural areas (SNA)
Establish protocols in relation to visiting landowners about SNAs
Incentives to be provided to developers of subdivisions as part of a package
Issues related to developing a schedule include criteria can change
Accuracy of information
Basis for identifying as significance for protection
Combination of blanket and target rules useful
Monitoring of sites is important
Developing a schedule is expensive and dependent on finance available
Survey information varies in quality
Important to have a baseline information to use for prioritizing
Why use targeted rules through schedules
To understand what is happening
Informed landowners and community
Should be on LIM
Protects significant bush being removed
Rules need to be designed according to threats and what biodiversity is present
Rationale needs to be clear
Targeted rules could be seen as re-active
Process can also include support for landowners
S.32 schedule vs other approaches
Option include blanket, LENZ bases targeted rules
Collecting data on SNA can be expensive, data can date, data can be used incorrectly
Needs to relate to RPS rules
Far North District Council use process tools
Package for biodiversity protection could include:
Rules, subdivision incentives and rate remission
Sites on a schedule that are first in line for funding assistance- entry point to a raft of funding etc advice, assistance
Support for management of key sites on-going
Those who protect site receive benefits eg copy of QEII magazine, guide, possum trap, library
Physically protect the best, legally protect the rest. Top 100-proactive, blanket rules cover the rest
Can have list of top sites outside the District Plan which can be updated, gets get over privacy issues, District Plan can say "work with these landowners".
If you need a list of Top 20-100 level of information needed is lower
Landowners need to be aware that no more controls will be put on them if their site is listed in the schedule
Local farmers can be champions to bring others on board
Send letter out to landowners explaining what you are going to do, schedule etc in advance of doing it. They will then have a chance to comment at that stage
Regional Plan rules-District Plan rules. Districts will need to take note of rule gaps in their District Plan reviews eg EW has rules for large scale vegetation clearance on steep slopes
Introducing rules can generate a lot of animosity and may not deal with the issues of pest control and stock grazing
Look at your desired end result and then work backwards
Non-regulatory approaches
Rate remission
Bonus lots extra subdivision rights in return for protecting biodiversity
Supporting catchment management and community groups
Funding - local, regional, national, industry funding, mitigation money
Education
Free consent processing to enhance an area
Develop codes of practice
Net environmental gain eg clear 1-10ha bush put rest in covenant
Pest control assistance
Reserve management plans-Councils leading by example using ecosourced plants
Recognition by way of awards - environmental citizens awards
Waikato Biodiversity Forum