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Land management issues were discussed with Auckland Council chief executive Stephen Town when he visited the Mahurangi area last month.The Landowners and Contractors Protection Association hosted Mr Town’s visit, which was an opportunity to discuss issues of concern regarding Council policies and administration.
Mr Town was taken to an area where wetland had been created in order to gain an extra title. The wetland included drains, which had originally been dug as part of a scheme to reduce flooding that had on occasions lead to road closures.
Association spokesperson Gordon Levet said the general opinion of those present, who had many years of farming experience, was that the drains that had been planted with natives would soon silt up and be ineffective.
“This would result in higher water levels especially in winter which, in turn, would lead to increased pugging and the retention of flood waters,” Mr Levet said. “Unfortunately, the Council officials who approved this wetland did not have the experience to foresee the long-term environmental damage it would have on a much larger land area.”
The tour included a visit to Richard Dill’s 1000-hectare property in the Kaipara Hills area where Council’s policy of providing a 50 per cent subsidy from rates for the fencing and planting of trees was discussed.
Mr Hill said that it would be completely impractical to fence off streams on hill country, and that farmers could not afford their share of the costs.
There was general agreement that erosion, which results in the siltation of harbours and rivers, occurred in hill country areas where some land was highly erosion-prone.
“It was strongly felt that Council’s ad hoc policy towards fencing and planting of streams would not achieve the desired results if the more highly erodible land areas were ignored,” Mr Levet said. “Sadly, Council officials did not consult landowners before implementing the policy.”
In response to association concerns about the confrontational attitude of some Council staff, Mr Town said he needed to be informed about any inappropriate staff actions.
Association chair Dean Blythen said that the discussions had been positive and that it was essential that Mr Town hear the views of people who had years of practical experience in land management.
For more information about the Landowners and Contractors Protection Association, visit lcpa.org.nz
