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15 February 2023, 3:42 PM
We have advice around regulations for those in areas severely impacted by the cyclone to help the primary sector get back on its feet. We've also listed contact details and welfare information here.
Infrastructure such as farm bridges and culverts have been damaged or destroyed as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle can be replaced without the need for resource consent on the basis they are repaired or reinstated on a like-for-like basis. Culverts should generally be replaced like-for-like, but if this is not practical stay close to the original size and consider the downstream effects on your property or your neighbours' of larger culverts. Keep a brief record to the replacement - if the replacement is larger than the original, keep a note of location and size, and take a photo.
Stream culvert replacements should be done in a manner that provides for fish passage. People can contact our freshwater team on 0508 800 800 for assitance with culvert requirements. If you are uncertain about your regulatory situation, call 0508 800 800 and ask for the duty planner. Email for river management related issues RMEnquiries@horizons.govt.nz
Tararua-specific emergency powers The Government passed emergency legislation post-cyclone to make it easier for the most affected areas to recover. In the Horizons Region, the emergency legislation applies to Tararua only. The legislation enables any activity undertaken to implement preventative or remedial measures on rural land which are required to avoid, remedy or mitigate the loss, injury, detriment or damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle to now be done as a permitted activity. Permitted activities do not require a resource consent. The intention is to enable communities to undertake activities – for example, clearing slips, removing silt, fixing culverts or clearing debris – without applying for a consent, even retrospectively. However, the onus is on the landowner or occupier doing the activity to ensure “permitted activity” criteria are met. The owner or occupier must do the following:
This does not apply for any activity classified as a prohibited activity in the One Plan, any applicable regulations or in national environmental standards. Deemed permitted activities also do not apply where consents under s12 of the Resource Management Act are required for activities in the coastal marine area. Furthermore, activities on a culturally significant site can only be undertaken with the prior written consent of local iwi and hapū. The full emergency legislation, which expires on 1 April 2024, can be found here. If you are uncertain about your regulatory situation, call 0508 800 800 and ask for the duty planner. Animal welfare If stock need to be buried this should be done in areas away from waterways. We recognise fences alongside waterways will be impacted and it will take time to reinstate these.
Where milk needs to be disposed of to ensure animal welfare is maintained, it should be disposed into the farm dairy effluent system and then discharged to land. Full or overflowing effluent systems can also be discharged to land.