Mike Finlayson: Working Together

Mike Finlayson

Now is your chance to have input into what your regional councils does and how to pay for it. We have combined the consultation of three documents into one process to make it easier for people to have their say.

The navigation and safety bylaw, regional pest and Marine pathway management plan and the annual plan and charging policy are now open, and you have until April 21 to provide feedback.

So what? For a start there are suggested changes in the way things are paid for. Who pays for what? What may seem fair for one person or group may seem a preposterous imposition to others.

Take, for instance, the new charges in the marine pathway plan, which acknowledges that it is easier to stop marine pests from spreading than having to deal with invasive (and hard to remove) species like Mediterranean fanworm once they become established.

Council has rapidly increased its response to marine biosecurity programme, but this comes with a cost, and what is the fairest way to pay for it is the big question.

Should the owners of moorings, large marine facilities and boatsheds pay, since it is normally moored vessels that spread these pests? Or should everyone pay because we all benefit from protecting our marine environment? Maybe a combination?

On land we are looking to support communities' actions to protect high-value areas, our forests, dune lakes and rivers.

How best can we support land owners, hapu, iwi, farmers and community groups to control pests and predators, erosion and siltation, and to regenerate our native biodiversity? We have significantly increased our Environment Fund to support these actions. Where do you want to see this going?

Our Awanui River rate is up for review, and this will affect both farmers and Kaitaia residents. There is a proposal to increase the urban boundary, which will mean it pays more (not individually but collectively) and farmers will pay less.

This scheme, as I've recently written, is hugely important for Kaitaia, and I would personally like to know not just what you think of the rates spread but of the scheme itself. Cyclone Debbie is pounding Queensland as I write this, and I feel we need to be prepared for a weather event of this intensity.

You can have your say online (www.nrc.govt.nz/haveyoursay), or mail your submission to Combined Consultation 2017, Northland Regional Council, Freepost 139-690, Private Bag 9021, Whangarei Mail Centre 0148.

If you could catch up with me at either the Kaitaia Markets or at the Mangonui Cruising Club (today, 3pm -6pm) I would be keen to hear your views and discuss the options.

mikef@nrc.govt.nz