Plan Change 2 – Animal Effluent Discharges
Purpose of the change
The Northland Regional Council’s Regional Water and Soil Plan for Northland (RWSP) addresses discharges of animal waste to both land and water. Discharging this waste to land is preferable because it should have fewer environmental effects (than discharges to water) and consequently is encouraged through Council's ‘permitted activity’ rules.
Currently, the plan has three separate and overlapping rules for discharges of ‘sludge’ (solid animal waste), wastewater and animal effluent. However, these rules are complicated and can still sometimes result in adverse effects to surface or groundwater.
This uncertainty can make it confusing for farmers trying to comply with the rules and also difficult for Council enforcement staff to monitor and enforce.
In a bid to address these issues, the Council is now proposing a single ‘permitted activity’ rule to cover all discharges of animal effluent to land.
The proposed new rule focuses on environmental effects such as ponding and overland flow and minor changes have also been proposed to associated policies and methods. However, all discharges of treated effluent to water will remain discretionary activities and untreated discharges of effluent to water remain prohibited.
Where is the plan change process at now?
Plan Change 2 was publicly notified on 12 July 2008. In total, 15 submissions and 7 further submissions were received. The Hearing Committee, consisting of Councillors Craig Brown (Chair), Lorraine Hill and Joe Carr, held a hearing on submissions on 26 February 2009. The Hearing Committee recommendations on submissions were presented to Council on 20 May 2009, where they were adopted as Council Decisions.
Council’s decision on submissions was publicly notified on 30 May 2009. Following that, submitters have 30 working days to appeal the Council decision should they seek changes to the Council decision. If no appeals are received within this time period, then Proposed Plan Change 2 will become operative.
View or download proposal
Plan Change 2 (Animal Effluent Discharges) (272 KB)
Section 32 Report (299 KB)
Summary of Submissions report (310 KB)
Officers Section 42A Report ( 445 KB)
Proposed Plan Change 2 – as amended by Officers Recommendations ( 443 KB)
Council Decisions on Submissions (443 KB)
Proposed Plan Change 2 – Council Decision (Tracked Changes) (302 KB)
Proposed Plan Change 2 – Council Decision (Clear Copy) (276 KB)
What are the next steps?
The process for continued public participation is as follows:
- The Northland Regional Council will release its decision and reason for this decision;
- There is then the right to appeal decisions to the Environment Court.
To receive further information
If you would like to receive more information as it becomes available:
- email us with your details mailroom@nrc.govt.nz; or
- phone us on freephone 0800 002 004 during business hours; or
- check this website regularly for the latest information
Please tell us if you would like information to be sent to you by email or have it posted to you.
Northland Regional Council postal address:
Water and Soil Planning Team
Northland Regional Council
Private Bag 9021
WHANGAREI 0148