Regional council says stock off

Northland farmers have just two months left to meet a July deadline to keep stock out of the region’s tidal areas.

The change is designed to minimise the environmental effects – especially on water quality – from stock grazing below the high tide mark in estuaries and harbours.
Unauthorised stock access and use of the Coastal Marine Area (CMA) becomes a ‘prohibited activity’ on July 1.

Northland Regional Council’s monitoring programme manager Jacquie Reed says Council changed its Regional Coastal Plan to ban stock from tidal areas in 2004, but allowed a five-year grace period for its implementation.

Council is gearing up to write to about 2000 affected property owners to remind them of their new obligations.

“Initially we’ll be focussing on those people whose stock still has access to areas close to traditional seafood harvesting grounds, popular swimming areas or marine farms,” she says.

Those who continue to breach the ban will risk penalties ranging from a $750 instant fine through to prosecution.

Info: Phone 0800 002 004 or visit www.nrc.govt.nz/stockexclusion