Federated Farmers is disappointed that consultation on the Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP), due to be notified in October, has been “disappointingly secretive”.

In a letter to the Otago Regional Council (ORC) and ministers involved in the process on Wednesday, Federated Farmers urged for better transparency on the plan.

Federated Farmers said some of the new proposed rules including “overly restrictive” requirements for fencing sheep and beef farms that would impact local farming families.

Signed by Otago president Luke Kane, North Otago president Otto Dogterom, along with meat and wool chair Logan Wallace, the group said while they were a part of an initial confidential consultation, “we are now completely in the dark as to what is being proposed and how it might impact our rural communities.”

Up until now they have been unable to share the details of the earlier information with its members because of confidentiality, including the transparency on costs of giving effect to Te Mana o te Wai.

Te Mana o te Wai, or mana of the water, is about recognising the vital importance of clean, healthy water for maintaining the health of our waterbodies, freshwater ecosystems and the communities that rely upon them for their sustenance and wellbeing.

Choosing to break their silence, Federated Farmers believe the application of Te Mana o te Wai will result in astronomical costs to farmers, with suggestions of more than $110 million for just two small Otago towns.

“For those communities the cost equates to more than $50,000 per residential ratepayer," the letter read.

"If similar costs can be expected across the rest of the Otago region this will quickly add up to a multi-billion dollar cost for the region and an unconscionable burden on local ratepayers – and this is before increased operating costs are even considered.”

Federated Farmers believes the ORC has engaged with tangata whenua, but not the wider community, on how Te Mana o te Wai will be applied in our region.  

The group is also concerned that communities remain in the dark on what new rules will be needed for farming and other industries such as forestry to comply with onerous national bottom lines contained in the current national direction for freshwater management.  

Federated Farmers has urged the ORC to be transparent with its communities about what is being proposed in the LWRP and the potential costs. A current draft of the plan should be released for public discussion.  

“There is no sense in rushing to notify this plan in October. Due to the significant implications for our community, we believe further consultation, engagement and analysis is needed. This would also provide time for the council to respond to changing central government direction,” the letter stated. 

ORC chair Gretchen Robertson and chief executive Richard Saunders both responded to requests for comment.

Richard refuted the claims that it had been a “secretive” process.

“Our door has always been open for groups including Federated Farmers who have asked to discuss aspects of the draft plan.”

Gretchen said Otago’s new LWRP would include rules built from community visions and the fundamental values we share. 

“Every Otago participant in our Land and Water Plan process identified good water as a priority. The plan creates regulatory pathways to these visions over time through rules and policies. It's one part of a puzzle - an important backstop for a plethora of positive voluntary community and business investment enhancement. Change and regulation can be tough to deal with and needs to be well planned. There’s no magic wand. We can’t avoid, we need practical pathways and time. The plan is about seeing change as opportunity, future proofing and achieving our shared vision of good water – both urban and rural.”