Essential Freshwater Package – Farmers Guide | Hawke's Bay Regional Council

Essential Freshwater Package – Farmers Guide

The Essential Freshwater package is a new set of standards and regulations designed to achieve genuine freshwater improvements for New Zealand’s lakes, rivers, wetlands and other freshwater waterways within a generation.

The new rules apply to all farmers, in addition to the existing regional rules in the Regional Resource Management Plan. They are being introduced in phases so you can prepare and adapt to them. Take a look at the implementation timeline that shows the dates different regulations come into effect.

Essential Freshwater Regulations

The following topics are covered by the new national rules. Unless otherwise stated under the specific regulation, the suite of Essential Freshwater Regulations regulations are operative and have not been delayed.

Synthetic Nitrogen Cap

On grazed land, you can no longer apply more than 190 kg of synthetic nitrogen per hectare per year without resource consent. Some farms must also record their fertiliser use and report it back to us each year. Find out how the new rules might affect your farm

Intensive winter grazing

If the land area used for intensive winter grazing has increased and you don't meet the requirements of the new essential freshwater regulations you'll require resource consent. Find out how the new rules might affect intensive winter grazing on your farm.

Freshwater Farm Plans

All farms with 20 hectares or more in arable or pastoral use, 5 hectares or more in horticultural use and/or 20 hectares or more of combined use will require a certified Freshwater Farm Plan. Find out about the new requirement for a Freshwater Farm Plan for your farm.

Stock Exclusion

Certain stock classes will be required to be excluded from any natural wetland, lake or any river or stream more than a metre wide (bank-to-bank) from 2023 or 2025, with any new fencing having a minimum 3 metre setback. New pastoral systems will require immediate exclusion for the same stock class. Find out how the new rules might affect stock exclusion on your farm.

Agricultural Intensification

Resource consent is required for various land use conversions (eg forestry to pasture) over 10 hectares. Find out more about the new agricultural intensification rules

Feedlots and Stockholding Areas

New regulations have been set for feedlots and stock holding areas, young stock are excluded from these, otherwise resource consent is required. HBRC also have a separate feedlot rule in our Regional plan, which has a different definition Find out how the new rules might affect your feedlots and stockholding areas.

Wetlands

Any activity which disturbs wetlands can only be carried out for certain reasons, such as restoration, clearing debris or scientific research, and may require consent. Find out how the new rules might affect wetland management on your farm.

Fish Passage

Culverts, weirs, flap gates, fords and dams must meet minimum reporting and environmental requirements such as height, width and location and may require resource consent. Find out how the new rules affect fish passage on your property

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Essential Freshwater Package – Farmers Guide