Land Management

WAI Wānaka are assisting farmers and growers to respond to pressures such as freshwater quality, soil health, pests, climate change and shifting consumer demand, encouraging land management and land use practices that align with nature.

Below is the list of actions related to land management and rural development as identified in the Community Catchment Plan. The actions show the current status of progress and who is responsible for their achievement.

1
Otago Regional Council
Scoping

Farm Environment Plans programme

Development of a farm-scale Farm Environment Plans programme that aligns with the governments National Environmental Standards (NES) and National Policy Statement (NPS) for Freshwater.

Otago Regional Council (ORC) and rural industry develop a farm-scale Farm Environment Plans programme to reflect the upcoming government’s National Environmental Standards (NES) and National Policy Statement (NPS for Freshwater which:

  • Sets out clear expectations for farmers on the plans’ content and quality assurance.
  • Explicitly states roles of industry bodies, catchment groups, and ORC, in supporting the development of Farm Environment Plans
  • Identifies regional priorities in promoting farm environment plans. 

Such a programme would:

  • Provide for the diversity of farming operations and receiving environments in the Upper Clutha (& Otago)
  • Implement new legislative requirements as required (NES and NPS for Freshwater)
  • Be based on the work currently being undertaken at a national level

Progress

ORC will collaborate in the development of the programme and audit specific parameters. To be aligned with National Policy.

Collaborative Agencies:
WAI Wānaka Industry Bodies Landowners
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
UN Sustainable Development Goal 15:15 - Life on land UN Sustainable Development Goal 17:17 - Partnerships for the goals
2
Otago Regional Council
Started

Advocate for good management practices by all landowners

This will assist with minimising sediment, pathogen, nutrient and pollutant discharges from properties.

Implementation

Through consultation and notification on the new Land and Water Plan for the region.

Collaborative Agencies:
WAI Wānaka Industry Bodies Landowners
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
UN Sustainable Development Goal 15:15 - Life on land
3
WAI Wānaka
Started

Assist development of landowner environment groups

Assist with development of landowner environment groups (e.g Wānaka Catchment Group, Hāwea, Hāwea Flat, Luggate & Cardrona) so that landowners can work together and support each other in development of LEPs (Land Environment Plans) and implementing water quality mitigation measures collectively where appropriate.

Obtaining funding or providing a resource to assist with this may be appropriate, particularly where baseline research is absent. These groups will also further develop integrated initiatives such as biodiversity protection and carbon zero along with engagement and collaboration with the wider community.


Progress

There are now 5 active large landowner catchment groups in the Upper Clutha, all focusing on environmental outcomes on farms. These groups have all completed a WAI Carbon 101 workshop. 4 small landowner groups (properties 20-100ha) have been established.


Implementation

Funding sought through ORC’s and QLDC’s Long-Term Plan and Annual Plan consultation process and other sources.

Collaborative Agencies:
Industry Bodies Landowners
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
UN Sustainable Development Goal 17:17 - Partnerships for the goals
4
WAI Wānaka
Not started

Identify high risk areas of catchment in terms of landslide, erosion and sediment loss

Advocate for a project to identify high risk areas of catchment in terms of landslide, erosion and sediment loss. Look at using local knowledge, satellite and/or LIDAR technology to do this.

Implementation

As part of ORC’s and QLDC’s Long-Term Plan and Annual Plan consultation process.

Collaborative Agencies:
Otago Regional Council Landowners
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
UN Sustainable Development Goal 6:6 - Clean water and sanitation UN Sustainable Development Goal 15:15 - Life on land
5
Otago Regional Council
Scoping

Minimise sediment runoff from high risk areas

Facilitate the engagement, communication and education of landowners on how to minimise sediment runoff from high risk areas.

Implementation

ORC Rural Liaison. WAI Wānaka communication and engagement strategy.

Collaborative Agencies:
QLDC WAI Wānaka Industry Bodies Landowners
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
UN Sustainable Development Goal 15:15 - Life on land
6
Otago Regional Council
Started

Farm system change and environmental initiatives

Collaborative engagement and communication with the wider community on farm system change and environmental initiatives.

Progress

ORC Rural Liaison. WAI Wānaka communication and engagement strategy.

Collaborative Agencies:
QLDC WAI Wānaka Landowners Industry Bodies
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
UN Sustainable Development Goal 17:17 - Partnerships for the goals
7
Industry Bodies
Not started

Advocate for flexible resource consent conditions

Advocate for flexible resource consent conditions that allow for compliance to still be achieved while supporting the trialling of alternative or adaptive management approaches or innovation, while also recognising the need to mitigate risk.

Implementation

Through submissions process for notified consent applications.

Collaborative Agencies:
WAI Wānaka Otago Regional Council QLDC Landowners
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
UN Sustainable Development Goal 11:11 - Sustainable cities and communities UN Sustainable Development Goal 15:15 - Life on land

EXPLORE THE OTHER ACTIONS

lake Wānaka waterfront walkway

URBAN DEVELOPMENT


Person with a plant ready to go in the ground

ECOSYSTEM ACTIONS


People in a room listening to someone talk

COLLABORATION


Aerial image of lake Hāwea and Wānaka at the neck

MĀTAURANGA MĀORI


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