Few would disagree that:

-            Northland’s economic future, for the foreseeable future, rests on its natural attributes, with agriculture, tourism and forestry dominating.

-            The present down turn in the national economy is once more starting to focus attention back on our traditional economic base.

-            The greening of New Zealand, in particular the way the country is embracing the climate change policy has the potential to have a considerable impact on the economic base of Northland.

The needs of Northland going forward are relatively simple:

-            The key infrastructural needs of the region need to be addressed in a planned strategic manner.  There is a clear linkage between environment, infrastructure and the region’s economy.  If infrastructure requirements or the economy are neglected then there is the very real potential for a negative impact on the region’s environment.

-            An acceptance that the Council’s environmental stewardship role is predicated on a robust and developing regional economy.

-            The compliance regimes faced by Northlanders need to be addressed.

-            Progress will require collaboration and co-operation across the region.

I have selected two specific topics to comment on:

1. Dairying

Dairying in Northland is a major part of Northland’s agricultural sector and the dairy industry is going to play a significant part in buffering the region from the coming downturn in the country’s economic future.  Nationally there has been a 24% increase in the size of the national dairy herd over a decade, and the recent economic success of the dairy industry indicate further increases in herd numbers and land intensification.  Intensification is happening in Northland and the Council has recognised the pressure that is being placed on the environment as evident by increasing incidences of pollution from point and non-point sources.

The discharges from non-point discharges such as run-off from pasture pose a key challenge for freshwater management in New Zealand. As a result water quality is fast becoming one of the major environmental issues that need to be addressed, and the Council is now constantly revaluating the region’s progress towards improving water quality.  

Water quality issues are one of the key focus areas for the Council over the next three years and it is the intention of the Council to work closely with agricultural stakeholders (and other interested groups) to ensure that measures are implemented that address the identified issues.Where appropriate enforcement action will be undertaken.  It must be noted, however, that while it is recognised that the Council does have an enforcement tool, the preferred methods to achieve progress rests in education, the promotion of good practice examples and farmer self-recognition of the need for change.  Meetings have already been held with farmer representatives, Fonterra representatives, councillors and Council staff to highlight compliance issues and promoting the tenets of the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord.  The Council has long accepted that improving environmental outcomes in our rural areas requires a partnership between central government, local government, Fonterra and the region’s farmers.  The Council is a signatory to the Accord, and supports the efforts of Fonterra to progress towards compliance of the Accord’s five targets.  We are committed to continuing to work with the dairy industry to improve water quality.

2. Northland’s RMA Plans

The Resource Management Act (RMA) is now almost 18 years old.  Prior to the Act being implemented central government promised that they would help create a national sustainability framework via a series of National Policy Statements (NPSs).  That simply has not been delivered on.  The NPSs would have provided a level of certainty for councils as they developed their planning documents.  Instead, each council in New Zealand has been left to its own devices and the end result has been plans of various quality and approach.  In many instances the philosophical intent of the RMA – integrated planning to promote sustainable management of natural and physical resources - has largely been ignored.  The resulting first generation plans are heavy on both prescription and rules.

Northland residents and ratepayers are faced with regional and district plans that are complex; there are inconsistencies between District Plans and Regional Plans, and in some instances there are overlapping jurisdictions that can include other agencies such as the Department of Conservation.  There are also gaps in jurisdiction.

Northland councils have collectively spent tens of millions of dollars on District and Regional Plans that are now operative.

It is clear to me that while specific Northland resource management issues were identified, those requiring integrated management between Regional and District Councils were not comprehensively dealt with.

If we were to ask our client base for their view on our plans what would they note?

I am sure that they would make one or more of the following observations:

·           Get rid of the bureaucracy;

·           RMA Plans are difficult to read;

·           There is a lack of consistency between Regional and District  Plans;

·           There is a lack of consistency between District Plans;

·           Councillors can ignore RMA requirements to promote  their own    agendas;

·           RMA compliance costs are too high;

·          The roles and responsibilities of Regional and District  Councils are  not clear;

·           Too much effort is made in the plans to achieve social and      economic objectives;

·           Why do we have to go to two offices to get consents?

Asked what the solution is, they may say:

·            Just fix the problem;

·            Collaborate do not let silly jurisdiction issues get in the way of       solutions;

·            Overcome the confusion and reduce complexity;

·            Reduce costs (better environmental outcome for less costs);

·            Streamline consultation;

·            Fix the under performing Northland Councils.

Over the past 18 months a group of regional councillors have been actively promoting a proposal to give consideration to moving towards a consolidated planning framework in Northland.  In a nutshell, this proposal would involve rolling all of Northland’s existing planning documents (including District and Regional Plans and the region’s Economic Development Strategy) into a single framework.  It would address - in a strategic and planned manner - resource management issues, infrastructural issues, economic issues and growth issues.