Hearing Evidence – Brunner - Federated Farmers

Introduction
1. My name is Katie Milne, I am the President of the West Coast Province of Federated
Farmers of New Zealand. I am also a Rotomanu dairy farmer, and am directly affected
by the decisions of the Council that pertain to farms in the Lake Brunner Catchment.
2. With me is Michael Bennett, a Federated Farmers Policy Advisor. Michael holds a BSc.
degree from the University of Canterbury and an M.Com. (agricultural) degree from
Lincoln University. He previously worked at Environment Southland and has 4 years of
experience as a policy planner. Previous to this he undertook research on farmer
perceptions of sustainability and decision making around cow wintering.
3. With me also is Dave Becker from Ray White Real Estate. Dave is a licensed rural
sales consultant and we have him to join us today because he has insights and
experience relating to the effect of the proposed plan on the marketability and certainty
of value of farms in the Brunner Catchment.
Summary of Federated Farmers position
4. Federated Farmer’s position is that the proposed Land and Water Plan, with
amendments sought in our submission, is a good response to the management of land
and water resources on the West Coast, and in particular the minor issues now being
observed in Lake Brunner.
5. We see the relief sought in our submission as reasonable and moderate, particularly in
light of the good state of Lake Brunner, lack of evidence that farming activities are the
driver of changes, widespread support for voluntary farm plans by farmers, as well as
our support for practical and effective regulatory options such as stock exclusion, use
of culverts and bridges, and improved farm dairy effluent management.
6. Above all we do not want to jump the gun or over-complicate the situation by acting in
haste. As the data set becomes more complete, the picture as to the nature of the
problem and what might be required to address it will become clearer.
7. Federated Farmers also has every confidence in West Coast Regional Council to
continue to work proactively with farmers to manage water quality in farming
catchments, and appreciates the consultative planning approach taken to minimise
unnecessary confusion, uncertainty, and cost in developing this plan.
Scope of evidence
8. This statement of evidence is intended to support the points raised on our submission.
9. The remainder of our evidence comprises:
1. The issue of water quality in Lake Brunner;
2. Economic and social implications for Lake Brunner farmers and the wider
region;
3. The proposed policy framework for the Lake Brunner catchment;
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