Selwyn Te Waihora
Topics
4 min read
Selwyn Te Waihora's Plan Change 1 rules set out environmental requirements farmers need to meet. Based on this plan, many dairy farmers needed to apply for a farming activity resource consent in 2017, and many farmers need to reduce nitrogen leaching. Some areas, like the Cultural Landscape Values Management Area and Phosphorus Sediment Risk Areas have separate consent requirements. You can find out more about your nutrient allocation zone and the associated requirements on this page.
The Selwyn Te Waihora - Plan Change 1 rules have been operative since 1 Feb 2016. We are helping farmers across the zone to meet Environment Canterbury's requirements.
Use this Selwyn Te Waihora Zone map to find out which nutrient allocation zone you're in. Click map to download pdf version.
Selwyn Te Waihora plan change
Under Plan Change 1, most dairy farmers needed to apply for a farming activity resource consent in 2017 and some will have to significantly reduce nitrogen leaching.
DairyNZ has been working with local partner farmers to help identify solutions to allow farmers to reduce N loss while still maintaining current production levels – see Selwyn and Hinds Canterbury Profitability.
Plan Change 1 farming activity rules replace the red/orange/green coloured zones in the region-wide Land and Water Regional Plan. The plan change provides flexibility for those leaching less than 15kg N/ha/year to increase up to 15kg N/ha/year. For those over 15kg N/ha/year further reductions beyond good management practice will be required from 2022.
There are also two areas within Plan Change 1 known as the Cultural Landscape Values Management Area and the Phosphorus Sediment Risk Area. In these areas, there are also specific resource consent requirements that will apply from 2017.
For details on what you are required to do please see the map above to determine your nutrient allocation zone, then select from the three options below.
Selwyn Te Waihora Catchment
For land with nitrogen loss above 15kg N/ha/yr:
- If your N loss calculation is above your N baseline but not greater than your maximum annual loss in any single year over the 2009 to 2013 baseline period, you require a farming activity resource consent (discretionary activity) and a farm environment plan.
- Any increase above the maximum annual loss in any single year over the 2009 to 2013 baseline period, is a prohibited activity.
| Less than or equalto 15kg N/ha/year | Greater than 15kg N/ha/year | |
| Less than 10 ha | Permitted Activity | Until 1/1/2017: Permitted Activity • Must apply farming practices listed in Schedule 24 • N loss calculation not above the N baseline If you can’t meet these conditions refer to the green box above. |
| From 1/1/2017: Controlled Activity Provided no increase above N baseline. Will require: • a farming activity resource consent • a farm environment plan Or if you have no farm environment plan: From 1/1/2017: Non-Complying Activity Provided no increase above N baseline. • a farming activity resource consent If you can’t meet these conditions refer to the green box above. |
||
| 10 ha or greater | Permitted Activity Must apply farming practices listed in Schedule 24 |
Until 1/1/2017: Permitted Activity • Must apply farming practices listed in Schedule 24 • N loss calculation not above the N baseline If you can't meet these conditions refer to the green box above. |
| From 1/1/2017: Controlled Activity Provided no increase above N baseline. Will require: • a farming activity resource consent • a farm environment plan Or if you have no farm environment plan: From 1/1/2017: Non-Complying Activity Provided no increase above N baseline. • a farming activity resource consent If you can’t meet these conditions refer to the green box above. |
Central Plains Irrigation Scheme
Central Plains Water has a discharge consent which include land supplied with water.
Water from Central Plains Water Limited and any other land included in a Farm Environment Plan for that property (e.g. dryland or land irrigated by groundwater) will be subject to the conditions of this consent.
Land owners do not need to apply for an individual farming activity consent for their property. This table summarises some of the main points regarding the nutrient management conditions of the consent.
| Irrigated prior to 1/1/2015 | Land not irrigated at 1/1/2015 |
| Central Plains Water Limited discharge consent requires farmers to: • Have a farm environment plan and subject to auditing • Not increase N loss calculation above their N baseline. | Central Plains Water Limited discharge consent requires farmers to: • Have a farm environment plan prior to receiving any irrigation water and subject to auditing • Apply to Central Plains Water Limited for eligibility to increase N loss calculation above their N baseline. |
For more information on your requirements through the Central Plains Water Limited consent or regulatory requirements either check on the Central Plains Water Limited website or contact the Environment team on 03 982 4267.
Consents info pack
To download Application for a resource consent under the Resource Management Act 1991 documents (CON 501-509) click here.
The documents below contain editable consent forms, planning assessments and examples to help guide you through the consent process for this zone.
- CON 508: Application for a resource consent under the Resource Management Act 1991 (Use if 15kgN/ha/yr or less)
- CON 509: Application for a resource consent under the Resource Management Act 1991 (Use if greater than 15kgN/ha/yr)
- Example application for a resource consent under the Resource Management Act 1991 (You can use this as part of your application, no need to fill out again)
- Example Selwyn planning assessment sheet
Supporting information
Below are some key documents that will help you through the process.
- Consent checklist - step by step what I need to go away and do
- Submitting your farming land use consent application - Questions to ask during your one hour free with a consent planner
- Contact list - Nutrient Management Advisors for Baseline creation and Resource management consultants for consent help
- Why do I get different Overseer Numbers and why are they important?
- Nutrient Budgets for Canterbury factsheet - is my Overseer file fit for regulatory purpose
- A guide to Permitted Activities in Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (Refer to for section ‘Related Permitted Activities’ in consent form)
For more information on Selwyn Te Waihora or to obtain a copy of your Sustainable Milk Plan please contact Katherine McCusker on katherine.mccusker@dairynz.co.nz or 022 071 0255.