1. Council makes draft plan available and seeks feedback from stakeholders

This is your opportunity to have a say on the direction of the plan at this early stage of the process.

• Builds relationship with council before draft is released.
• Raises farmer awareness of draft and opportunity to get involved (e.g. giving feedback to council and/or DairyNZ through meetings and/or workshops).
• Facilitates discussions with councils and farmer groups on the draft.
• Advocates on farmers’ behalf for council to make any changes.

2. Council makes proposed plan available and calls for submissions

The proposed plan is the next, more detailed version of the plan. You can now make submissions in support or opposition of the plan. You can also make a further submission in support of, or opposition to, others’ submissions.

• Raises farmer awareness of proposed plan and opportunity to get involved.
• Helps farmers to understand plan and make a submission.
• Facilitates discussions with councils and farmer groups on the proposed plan.
• Formulates a position based on discussions with farmers and sector partners, and tests this with farmers, usually through workshops.
• Lodges a submission based on farmer feedback and expert analysis (usually DairyNZ staff).
• Analyses other parties’ submissions and makes a further submission on farmers’ behalf.

3. Council holds plan hearings to hear from council staff and submitters

This is your opportunity to explain what the plan will mean for you to the hearings panel. You can appeal the hearings panel’s decision to the Environment Court or High Court.

• Works with DairyNZ’s experts in farm systems, economics, water quality, on-farm change and policy work together to build and lodge evidence for the hearings.
• Holds farmer events to support farmers who have submitted and want to present at the hearings.
• Continues to work with council staff to understand hearings panel and court’s needs, and address these needs, to ensure the best chance of success in the legal process.

4. Environment and/or high court proceedings

Only matters previously raised in submissions can be appealed. You may have the opportunity to enter into mediation with others appealing.

• DairyNZ’s experts review the hearings panel’s decision and decide whether to appeal to court.
• Manages legal case and supports proceedings with DairyNZ experts.
• Continues to work with council staff to understand hearings panel and court’s needs, and address these needs, to ensure the best chance of success in the legal process.

5. Council makes plan fully operative following court decision

This means all farming activities must now comply with the plan, unless they hold a consent for that activity.

• Builds farmer awareness of the new rules, and how to comply with them through appropriate Good Management Practices.
• Raises any rule implementation issues, and sits down with council, farmer representatives and other industry groups to resolve these issues.

This article was originally published in Inside Dairy November 2019