Selwyn Waihora
Farmers in Selwyn Waihora have faced challenging times over the past decade with tightening environmental regulations. Good progress is being made toward achieving better environmental outcomes, and we recognise the work and contributions of our rural communities.
This is an overview of current requirements for farming in the Selwyn Waihora zone. Support is available, please reach out if you have any questions.
About the zone
Download the brochure (PDF File, 60.4 KB)
The social and economic wellbeing of the Selwyn Waihora community is largely reliant on its agricultural industry. Over the years, flows in lowland streams and the Waikirikiri/Selwyn River have decreased, while nitrate concentrations have increased, and the health of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere has deteriorated.
As part of Plan Change 1, the Selwyn Waihora Water Zone Committee, with input from the community, developed a package of actions including restricting the agricultural nitrogen load losses from the catchment. This requires all farming activities to operate at good management practice and make further improvements over time for managing nitrogen on farm and reducing its impact on the environment.
Nitrogen loss reductions
Farms in the Selwyn Waihora catchment with consent conditions to reduce their nitrogen losses from 1 January 2022 will have their reductions audited from mid-2023 (when the 2022-23 season ends and the nutrient budget is available).
About 200 farms in the area with nitrogen losses greater than 15kg of nitrogen per hectare per year have farming land use consent conditions that require specific percentage reductions in nitrogen loss from 1 January 2022. Consent holders will have these checked as part of their scheduled Farm Environment Plan (FEP) audits.
Farm Environment Plan (FEP) audits in Selwyn Waihora had been on hold while we addressed how these reductions would be evaluated under the Overseer interim solution. This has now been resolved and audits have resumed.
Farms in Selwyn Waihora leaching more than 15kg nitrogen per hectare per year are subject to percentage reductions in nitrogen losses below their nitrogen baseline. Your specific reduction requirements may be stated or pre-calculated in your consent conditions – if this is the case, the reduction target specified must be used.
The reductions under the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) are:
- 30% for dairy
- 22% for dairy support
- 20% for pigs
- 5% for irrigated sheep, beef or deer
- 2% for dryland sheep, beef or deer
- 7% for arable
- 5% for fruit, viticulture or vegetables
- 0% for any other land uses.
The 15kgN/ha/yr number was recommended to the Selwyn Waihora Water Zone Committee during the limit-setting process by a working group of Environment Canterbury, industry, and Ngāi Tahu. The limit provides flexibility for low-leaching land uses, while also ensuring that the additional reductions that would need to be made by properties with higher losses could be achieved.
The reduction rates were developed in collaboration with industry partners and Environment Canterbury to give a balanced impact on farm profit across all sectors and reduce agricultural nitrogen losses by an average of 14%. This was to meet the catchment nitrogen load limit set in the Selwyn Waihora section of the LWRP , and for that target to be met by no later than 2037.
What you need to do
- When you receive your FEP audit notification, contact a certified FEP Auditor to complete your audit by its scheduled date. Learn more about the FEP Auditing process and see a list of certified auditors.
- If your audit is due before the 2022-23 season ends but you would like to have your nitrogen loss reductions audited, you can request an audit date extension. Email fep.audit@ecan.govt.nz or call 0800 324 636.
The evidence required for your audit is dependent on how large your reduction requirement is and what changes have been made to the farming system since the baseline period (2009-2013).
Your FEP auditor will be able to advise on the specific information they’ll need on the day, but some examples of important evidence are:
- an updated Farm Environment Plan
- Overseer nutrient budgets
- a clear description of the farming system
- management practices and mitigations.
Depending on how large your reduction requirement is, and what changes have been made to your farming system in the last several years, you may need to provide an Overseer nutrient budget for your audit.
In some situations, other sources of evidence may be able to demonstrate that the farm system changes and mitigations are overwhelmingly capable of delivering the reduction, and an Overseer nutrient budget may not be required.
We no longer rely solely on Overseer modelling, due to the ongoing government review. Other forms of robust evidence are required to make assessments that a property is meeting its nitrogen loss limit.
Talk to your FEP Auditor to find out whether you will need to provide an Overseer nutrient budget.
Actions to lower nitrogen losses
There are various actions you can take to achieve lower nitrogen loss and improve farming efficiency, beyond GMP. Mitigation techniques such as planting catch crops, irrigation scheduling, plantain and soil nitrogen testing have been identified as effective and practical options for farmers, offering the best value for money, industry support and availability. Learn more about these options for reducing nitrogen loss.
Talk to a nutrient management advisor or farm consultant to discuss what may work best for your farm system. Our Farming Land Use team and your local Land Management Advisors are also happy to help – come chat to us at the monthly drop-in sessions held in Darfield and Leeston.
Farming in Selwyn Waihora
Below is information around rules for farming in the Selwyn Waihora zone.
Find out what zone your farm is in
Selwyn Waihora Plan Change Area:
You will need a consent if your farm is not covered by the Central Plains Water Irrigation Scheme consent and:
- Your farm nitrogen loss calculation exceeds 15 kilograms/hectare/year; or
- Your farm is 10 hectares or larger and any part of your property is within the Lake Area of the Cultural Landscape Values Management Area or the Phosphorus and Sediment Risk Area.
Download your Greater than 15 kilograms/hectare/year Application Form and Planning Assessment
Download your Less than 15 kilograms/hectare/year Application Form and Planning Assessment
Outside of the Selwyn Waihora Plan Change Area (Regional Rules)
You will not need consent if:
- You already have a farming land use consent; or
- Your farm is covered by the Central Plains Water Irrigation Scheme consent; or
- You have a water permit for irrigation, granted before 18 January 2014, with conditions that limit the amount of nitrogen that may be leached and requires the preparation of a plan to mitigate the effects of nutrient loss to water.
If none of these apply, then you will need a consent if:
Orange and Green Zone
- Your farm has 50ha or more of irrigation; or
- You have an area of winter grazing* that exceeds the limits in the table below
| On a property | Winter grazing |
|---|---|
| Less than 100 ha | 10ha or more |
| Between 100 and 1000ha | 10% of the property or more |
| More than a 1000ha | 100ha or more |
*Winter grazing is the grazing of cattle within the period of 1 May to 30 September, where the cattle are contained for break-feeding of in-situ brassica and root vegetable forage crops or for consuming supplementary feed that has been brought onto the property.
If you do need a land use consent to farm:
Download your application form and planning assessment or contact an industry support partner for help.
The Phosphorus and Sediment Risk Area in the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment has been identified in the Land & Water Regional Plan as being at risk to phosphorus and sediment loss. It was introduced during the Selwyn Te Waihora sub-regional water quality limit-setting process.
It includes soils located in the foothills at the top of the catchment and areas of artificially-drained soils near Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere.
To find out whether your property is within the Phosphorus and Sediment Risk Area, use the Selwyn Te Waihora Farming Activities Map or contact our Customer Services staff on (03) 353 9007 or toll free on 0800 324 636.
Will I receive a phosphorus limit?
No. You will need to implement Good Management Practices to manage phosphorus and sediment losses.
Management will differ for each property depending on land use, soil type, slope and a range of other factors.
Your Farm Environment Plan will require you to set objectives and targets around minimising the movement of sediment and phosphorus into waterways.
The Industry-agreed Good Management Practices relating to water quality should be used to guide your practices. View the Industry-agreed Good Management Practices.
The Cultural Landscape/Values Management Area (CLVMA) is a special feature of the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment that recognises the significance of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere to Ngāi Tahu.
The CLVMA comprises a Lake Area and a River Zone. The Lake Area includes Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, its margins and wetlands.
The River Zone includes 20 meters each side of the 13 rivers below that flow into Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere excluding tributaries that only flow during rainfall events and artificial watercourses (except in the Waikekewai catchment).
To find out whether your property is within the Phosphorus and Sediment Risk area, use the Selwyn Te Waihora Farming Activities Map or contact our Customer Services staff on (03) 353 9007 or toll free on 0800 324 636.
Do I need a farming activity land use consent if I am in the ‘River Zone’ of the Cultural Landscape Values Management Area?
If your property is wholly or partially within the River Zone of the Cultural Landscape/Values Management Area, you do not automatically require a consent.
If, however, you require a farming activity land use consent because you are in the Phosphorus and Sediment Risk Area and/or your nitrogen loss is greater than 15kgN/ha/yr you will be asked to address the impacts of your farming activity on cultural values. What you need to address is covered below.
What will I need in place to apply for consent if my property is within the Cultural Landscape/Values Management Area?
If your nitrogen loss is less than or equal to 15kg/ha/yr you will need to have:
- A completed consent application form; and
- A Farm Environment Plan (FEP) which fulfils the requirements of Schedule 7 of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan; and
- Information on your current or proposed nitrogen loss using Overseer® or NCheck demonstrating that your nitrogen loss is, or will be 15kgN/ha/yr or less.
If your nitrogen loss is greater than 15kg/ha/yr you will need to have:
- A completed consent application form; and
- A Farm Environment Plan (FEP) which fulfils the requirements of Schedule 7 of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan; and
- Information on your Nitrogen Baseline using Overseer® (or an equivalent model approved by the Chief Executive of Environment Canterbury).
Do I have to address anything additional when applying for consent?
Yes. When you apply for consent you will be asked whether you agree to implement the additional objective and targets below alongside your existing Farm Environment Plan.
This is a question in section 6 of the application forms.
Objective: To protect mahinga kai and manage waterways and drains recognising their cultural and ecological sensitivity to discharges of contaminants.
Targets:
- Mahinga kai values are protected by implementing all other Farm Environment Plan Objectives and Targets taking mahinga kai values into account.
- Mahinga kai species and habitats are protected when waterway (including drain) management and vegetation clearance occurs.
- Mahinga kai habitats and species are sustained through management of remnant native vegetation and wetlands.
- Properties within Selwyn District Council Drainage Scheme comply with any District Council Discharge of Land Drainage Water resource consent.
Practices to implement this objective and targets as part of your Farm Environment Plan will need to be in place prior to your first audit which will be 12 months after your consent is granted.
To help you implement this objective and targets download this handy guide (PDF File, 1.46MB).
More information can also be found at on our Mahinga Kai page.
If you do not agree to the additional management objective you will need to outline how you will protect mahinga kai and manage waterways and drains and the cultural and ecological sensitively of the area.
You will also be asked in the application form to identify if your property contains any wāhi tapu or wāhi taonga.
What is wāhi tapu and wāhi taonga?
Wāhi tapu are places of particular significance that have been imbued with an element of sacredness or restriction (tapu) following certain events or circumstances (e.g. burial places, places where baptismal rites were performed, or battlegrounds).
Wahi taonga are “places treasured” due to their high intrinsic values and critical role they have in maintaining a balance and robust ecosystem (e.g. spawning grounds for fish or nesting areas for birds).
They are prized because of their capacity to shape and sustain the quality of life experience and provide for the needs of present and future generations, and as places that connect and bind current generations to their ancestral land and practices.
How do I know if my property contains a known wāhi tapu or wāhi taonga and what do I do if it does?
Use the Selwyn Te Waihora Farming Activities Map on this web page or contact customer services to find out whether your property contains any wāhi tapu or wāhi taonga sites.
What’s happens if my application contains a known wāhi Tapu or wāhi taonga?
During the consents process your application will be forwarded to Mahaanui Kurataiao Limited.
Mahaanui Kurataiao Limited (MKT) has a general mandate to represent the interests of Papatipu Rūnanga who hold manawhenua rights and interests over the lands and waters within their respective takiwā.
They will establish whether any additional management is recommended.
If you would like advice or further information about wāhi tapu or wāhi taonga contact customer services on (03) 353 9007 or toll free on 0800 324 636 to find out how best to contact the catchments Cultural Land Management Advisor.
What is mahinga kai?
The Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998 describes mahinga kai as “the customary gathering of food and natural material and places where those resources are gathered.” Mahinga kai is central to Ngāi Tahu’s culture, identify and relationship with landscapes and waterways.
Will I receive a nitrogen limit as part of my consent?
Yes. Within the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment farming activities leaching more than 15kg N/ha/yr will receive an initial nitrogen discharge limit not exceeding the nitrogen baseline for their property,
From 2022, they will be subject to further percentage reductions in nitrogen losses below their nitrogen baseline.
These % reductions are:
- 30% for dairy
- 22% for dairy support
- 20% for pigs
- 5% for irrigated sheep beef or deer
- 2% for dryland sheep, beef or deer
- 7% for arable
- 5% for fruit, viticulture or vegetables
- 0% for any other land uses.
What are the good management practice nitrogen loss rates to be achieved in Selwyn Te Waihora?
In accordance with Policy 11.4.15 in the Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP), within the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment a farm's good management practice nitrogen loss rate is determined by:
- The type of farming activity; and
- The drainage characteristics of the soil; and
- The climatic conditions and topography of the property; and
- The type of irrigation system used (if any); and
- Whether the practices set out in Schedule 24 have been fully adopted.
This level of practice is applied to the farm's baseline land use (2009–2013).
When are the good management practice nitrogen loss rates to be met?
The good management practice nitrogen loss rate for a farm's baseline land use is to be met from 1 January 2017.
What is the threshold from which further reductions are required?
Further reductions for farms with a nitrogen loss greater than 15 kgN/ha/yr in Selwyn Te Waihora are made from the good management practice nitrogen loss rate for a farm's baseline land use.
Why are the good management practice nitrogen loss rates for Selwyn Te Waihora not the same as in Plan Change 5?
While Plan Change 5 (PC5) introduced a definition of the term “Good Management Practice” (GMP) it does not apply in the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment.
The architecture of the LWRP means sub-regional rules prevail over region wide rules.
The rules for the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment (PC1) require compliance with Schedule 24 and the other factors in Policy 13.4.15 respectively, not compliance with the GMP definition introduced by PC5.
The definition of “Good Management Practice” introduced by Plan Change 5 also has each word capitalised to indicate a difference; in PC1 the phrase is in lower case.
The introductory text of the notified version of PC5 also stated submissions lodged on Plan Change 5 could not seek to amend the provisions in PC1. If the intent of Plan Change 5 had been to change the PC1 thresholds from which reductions were to be made, then the catchment load and percentage reductions would have been recalculated and changes made to the PC1 policies accordingly.
How is a good management practice nitrogen loss rate for baseline land to be determined?
A Nitrogen Baseline (2009-13) OVERSEER® file for a farm is to be prepared. This will however need to reflect the minimum level of farm practices as contained in Policy11.4.15.
This means the modelling of a farms nitrogen baseline needs to reflect the type of farming activity, the drainage characteristics of soil, climatic considerations and topography, the type of irrigation system used and the practices in Schedule 24.
The information below outlines the minimum standard to be reflected in Nitrogen Baseline (2009–13) files and provides advice on how file can be adjusted to reflect the minimum.
Irrigation
Minimum
Schedule 24 states an irrigation application[1] needs to reflect use of soil moisture monitoring[2], a soil water budget, or an irrigation scheduling calculator.
The data inputted into OVERSEER® will therefore need to reflect one of these irrigation management techniques while also reflecting the type of irrigation system used[3].
The minimum practice for irrigation management accepted by the Council is outlined in Process for inputting irrigation management into Overseer (PDF File, 245.42KB).
This reflects an irrigation scheduling calculator approach with further refinements in accordance with Policies 4.65, 4.66, 11.4.15 and 13.4.15 to reflect:
- the monthly and annual amount of water required based on the irrigation system used; and
- the annual amount of water that was available as detailed in the relevant water permit(s).
Overseer file adjustment
Fertiliser and Effluent Management - All Systems
Minimum
Schedule 24 states:
A fertiliser is applied in accordance with the Code of Practice for Nutrient Management [2007]; and either:
(a) the Spreadmark Code of Practice [Feb 2014]; or
(b) With spreading equipment that is maintained and user-calibrated to Spreadmark Code of Practice [Feb 2014] standards.
Collected Animal Effluent:
(i) All collection, storage and treatment systems for animal effluent installed or replaced after 1 January 2014 meet the Dairy NZ Farm Dairy Effluent Design Standard and Code of Practice [2013].
(ii) The animal effluent disposal system application separation distances, depth, uniformity and intensity are self-checked annually in accordance with Section 4 ‘Land Application’ in the Dairy NZ guideline ‘A Farmer’s Guide To Managing Farm Dairy Effluent – A Good Practice Guide For Land Application Systems, Version 1 – Feb 2013’.
The minimum practice Fertiliser and Effluent Management accepted by the Council shall, therefore, reflect the practices above and relevant effluent consent conditions at the time.
[1] Clause b(iii).
[2] Soil moisture monitoring is defined in Schedule 24 as meaning “methods of monitoring soil moisture that uses volumetric or tension based methodology.
[3] Consistent with policies 11.4.15 and 13.4.13
You will need to prepare a Farm Environment Plan (FEP).
There are lots of approved Farm Environment Plan templates to choose from. Talk to your Industry sector representative about your options and find out how they can help.
Who can prepare a Farm Environment Plan?
Farmers can prepare their own Farm Environment Plan. However, assistance from a professional advisor or other persons with experience in environmental management within farming systems and developing a Farm Environment Plan is recommended.
Is there a template for a Farm Environment Plan I can use?
There are many industry templates than have been approved for use by Environment Canterbury. Contact your local industry representative or Environment Canterbury Customer Services to find out more.
Selwyn Te Waihora Farming Activities Map
You can access lots of useful information to build your Farm Environment Plan and for your consent application by accessing Canterbury Maps.
If you require a resource consent:
You can get a free one hour pre-application consultation.
To arrange this please contact our customer services team.
Calling from Christchurch (03) 353-9007
Calling from any other area 0800 324 636
Download your Greater than 15 kilograms/hectare/year Application Form and Planning Assessment
Download your Less than 15 kilograms/hectare/year Application Form and Planning Assessment
How much will the resource consent cost?
Costs will be based on actual processing costs of each application. The size of the initial deposit is set in the Environment Canterbury annual plan.
A deposit of $2350 is required. At the end of the process, you will receive a refund or a bill of the difference between actual costs and the deposit.
What information do I need to include with a consent application?
If your nitrogen loss is less than or equal to 15kg/ha/yr you will need to have:
- A completed consent application form; and
- A Farm Environment Plan (FEP) which fulfils the requirements of Schedule 7 of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan; and
- Information on your current or proposed nitrogen loss using Overseer® or NCheck (demonstrating that your nitrogen loss is, or will be 15kgN/ha/yr or less.
If your nitrogen loss is greater than 15kg N/ha/yr:
- A completed consent application form; and
- A Farm Environment Plan which fulfils the requirements of Schedule 7 of the Land and Water Regional Plan; and
- Information on your nitrogen baseline using OVERSEER® (or an equivalent model approved by the Chief Executive of Environment Canterbury).
Who can prepare my resource consent application?
Environment Canterbury has developed application forms (CON508 and CON509) that are designed to be completed by farmers.
Form 508 is designed for properties with nitrogen loss of 15kg N/ha/yr or less.
Form 509 is designed for those with nitrogen loss greater than 15kgN/ha/yr.
Forms are available on our website or contact Customer Services on (03) 353 9007 or toll free on 0800 324 636.
You can put together your own application.
Will I receive a nitrogen limit as part of my consent?
Farms leaching more than 15kg N/ha/yr
Within the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment farming activities leaching more than 15kg N/ha/yr will receive an initial nitrogen discharge limit not exceeding the nitrogen baseline for their property,
From 2022, they will be subject to further percentage reductions in nitrogen losses.
Farms leaching 15kg N/ha/yr or less
Within the catchment there is flexibility provided for farming activities leaching 15kg N/ha/yr or less to increase up to 15kg N/ha/yr. As a result these farming activities are able to choose whether to receive a specific nitrogen discharge limit or not.
If you choose not to have a nitrogen discharge limit you will be required to keep records to demonstrate, to Environment Canterbury on request, that your nitrogen losses do not exceed 15kg /ha/yr.
Alternatively you may elect to receive a nitrogen discharge limit of 15kg N/ha/yr or a limit that reflects a proposed or current land use modelled with OVERSEER® or NCheck (not exceeding 15kg N/ha/yr at time apply for consent).
OVERSEER® is continually being updated to improve the model and incorporate the latest scientific research.
This means that a nitrogen loss calculated using OVERSEER® or NCheck can change when new versions are released, even if a farming activity has not changed.
Having a nitrogen discharge limit based on your current or proposed nitrogen loss rate, means that you will still be compliant if a change in OVERSEER® or NCheck results in your nitrogen loss exceeding 15 kg/ha as the Limit will be written so it updates with changes to OVERSEER®.
Can I use NCheck instead of OVERSEER®?
In the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment you can use NCheck to help you establish whether your nitrogen losses are over 15kg N/ha/yr and you need a land use consent to farm.
If your nitrogen loss calculation is 15kg N/ha/yr or less, but you need a land use consent because you are in the phosphorus and sediment risk area or the lake area to the Cultural Landscape Values Management Area, you may use NCheck to demonstrate your nitrogen loss calculation or proposed nitrogen losses do not exceed 15kg/ha/yr at the time of application.
There is no restriction to NCheck’s use over time. You will need to continue to use NCheck for your Farm Environment Plan audits.
If your nitrogen loss calculation is greater than 15kg N/ha/yr, NCheck has been approved for use in the short term until 2022 for certain Arable and Horticultural farmers to prepare a Nitrogen Baseline.
For more on NCheck.
How will the consent be monitored?
The primary way your farming activity consent will be monitored will be through auditing of the Farm Environment Plan.
Your first audit will be required 12 months after your consent is granted.
The frequency of subsequent audits (and follow up by Environment Canterbury compliance staff if necessary) will be based on your audit grade.
For further information on Farm Environment Plan Auditing see the FEP Audits page.
Water quality in our rivers, streams and coastal areas is important to all of us. By keeping your stock out of our waterways, you make an important contribution to the improvement of water quality in Canterbury.
On 3 September 2020 new requirements under the Essential Freshwater package came into effect. Find out more about how this affects stock exclusion rules.
What’s prohibited?
Access by farmed cattle, deer or pigs to the following areas within the bed (including the banks) of lakes and rivers is not allowed (see Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (PDF file, 19.6MB), rule 5.71):
- in an īnanga spawning habitat or a salmon spawning site
- within a community drinking water protection zone
- the bed of a lake or river within 1000 metres upstream of a freshwater bathing site
- within 1000 metres upstream of a freshwater bathing site
- within a spring-fed plains river.
View this map to find out if your property is within any of the restricted areas.
Contact customer services or your local zone team if you think you might have these features on your farm.
Additionally, within the Selwyn Te Waihora sub-region, it is a prohibited activity if any of these activities take place within the Cultural Landscape/Values Management Area.
Within the Selwyn Te Waihora sub-region any reference to the bed of a lake, river or wetland also includes a drain, but does not include any sub-surface drain, stormwater swale, other artificial watercourse or ephemeral waterway.
Consenting rules about stock exclusion
Do I need to apply for consent?
The first step is to consider whether resource consent is needed for what you wish to do. Contact customer services to find out more.
What kind of stock access requires resource consent?
A resource consent is required if the permitted access conditions are not met, or for access of intensively farmed stock to any river over one metre wide or 10 centimetres deep, or to a lake or wetland.
Intensively farmed stock are considered to be:
- cattle or deer grazed on irrigated land or contained for break-feeding of winter feed crops
- dairy cattle, of any class, including cows, whether dry or milking, and whether on irrigated land or not or
- farmed pigs.
What can be done without a resource consent?
Conditions for permitted access
Except for areas where stock access is prohibited, access by stock to a lake, river or wetland may happen, provided the access is by non-intensively farmed stock and does not result in:
- pugging or de-vegetation that exposes bare earth in the bed or banks
- a conspicuous change in clarity or colour of the water outside the mixing zone
- for lakes, cattle standing in a lake located within a Lake Zone, classified as a High Naturalness Waterbody, or located outside the Hill and High Country Area (as defined in the Land & Water Regional Plan).
Different conditions apply to stock crossing points. Please contact customer services for more information.
Additionally, within the Selwyn Te Waihora sub-region, to be a permitted activity the activity must not take place within the Cultural Landscape/Values Management Area.
Resources
Download a copy of the Stock Exclusion Fact Sheet (PDF File, 1.97MB).
Download a copy of the Regional Stock Access Guidelines (PDF File, 1.4MB) (including new Essential Freshwater Package regulations)
Further information
A river is defined as a continually or intermittently flowing body of fresh water; and includes a stream and modified watercourse; but does not include any artificial watercourse (including an irrigation canal, water supply race, canal for the supply of water for electricity power generation, and farm drainage canal).
A braided river is a river that at some point in its length flows in multiple, mobile channels across a gravel floodplain. For the purposes of Environment Canterbury’s stock exclusion rules, the bed (including the banks) of a braided river is limited to the wetted channels, any gravel islands, the gravel margins, and the outer edge of any flood protection vegetation or where no flood protection vegetation exists, the lesser of:
- The distance from the outer gravel margin to land that was cultivated or was in crop or pasture prior to 5 September 2015; or
- 10m landward of the outer gravel margin as measured at any time, except that if a stopbank exists then the stopbank does not form part of the bed.
There is an exception to these conditions for stock crossing points (please contact Customer Services for more information).
Wetlands are defined in the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan as coastal wetlands, wetlands that are part of a river, stream or lake; and natural ponds, swamps, marshes, fens, bogs, seeps, brackish areas, mountain wetlands, and other naturally wet areas that support an indigenous ecosystem of plants and animals specifically adapted to living in wet conditions and provide a habitat for wildlife. It excludes:
- wet pasture or where water temporarily ponds after rainfall;
- artificial wetlands used for wastewater or storm water treatment;
- artificial farm dams, drainage canals and detention dams; and
- reservoirs for firefighting, domestic or community water supply.
Find out more about how we protect, maintain and enhance wetlands in Canterbury.
The dictionary (Merriam-Webster) defines pasture as “plants (such as grass) grown for feeding especially of grazing animals / land or a plot used for grazing / the feeding of livestock”.
This definition links the purpose for which the grass is grown, with the feeding of grazing animals. This draws a distinction between grass that has been grown (introduced) for the purpose of feeding, to that which is not being grown but nevertheless, would be suitable for grazing animals to feed on.
Essentially, wet pasture is grass being grown for the purpose of feeding grazing animals.
The following factors, either individually or in combination, can be used as a starting point for on-site discussions:
- Is the grass being actively grazed by farm animals?
- Is the land being deliberately managed and actively maintained (includes fertiliser use, cultivation, mowing etc.) for the purpose of growing grass for grazing by farm animals?
- Is there a predominance of exotic or introduced grass? (Pockets of wetland plant species may occur throughout areas of wet pasture and will need to be managed appropriately).
- The grass has been (and is still being) actively maintained for grazing by farm animals since September 2015? (This is the operative date of the LWRP).
Our rules require the exclusion of livestock from the beds of rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
The rules do not require the exclusion of livestock from water races, as water races are considered an ‘artificial watercourse’ which is specified as not coming under the definition of ‘river’.
However, the water within these water races is considered ‘surface water’ and as such is required to meet all regional rules relating to water quality (for example, rules relating to effluent, nutrient run-off, sediment etc).
Good Management Practices (GMP) suggest that stock be excluded from water races. In instances where access is required for drinking water purposes, this access should be restricted to a defined area for this purpose.
Consideration should be given to why this area is the optimal location for drinking water access.
Areas susceptible to pugging and with higher risk of sediment, nutrient, and microbial run-off into the water race should not be selected as drinking water areas.
Furthermore, physical access should not go beyond what is needed for the purpose of accessing drinking water.
What silage pits do not require a resource consent?
The use of a silage pit or stockpiling decaying matter such as composting, as long as:
- the stockpile/pit is less than 20m³ volume
- any liquid that drains from stockpile does not enter a surface water body
- Any decaying organic matter does not originate from an industrial or trade process.
Or, if larger than 20m³:
- the stockpile is not within 50m of a surface water body, bore, property boundary, the Coastal Marine Area, or a Community Drinking-water Protection Zone
- any liquid that drains from the stockpile does not enter a surface water body
- the decaying organic matter doesn’t originate from an industrial or trade process
What silage pits need a resource consent?
A silage pit which cannot meet the conditions above will require a resource consent.
Note: These rules do not apply to bailed silage.
What kind of offal pit requires a resource consent?
Any offal pit which cannot meet the conditions below.
What can be done without requiring a resource consent?
Conditions for permitted activity:
The pit is:
- 50m³ or smaller
- is designed to prevent surface runoff from entering the pit
- is designed to prevent animals from entering the pit
And the pit must not be located:
- within 100m of a surface water body, a bore used for water abstraction, the boundary of the site, or the Coastal Marine Area
- within a Community Drinking-water Protection Zone as set out in Schedule 1
- within the Christchurch Groundwater Protection Zone
- onto or into land listed as an archaeological site
- outside of a rural area
And:
- The dead animals or animal parts were produced on the property
- Must have at least 3m of soil or sand between the offal and the seasonal high water table
- Only 1 pit per 100 hectares per year
- When pit is filled to within 0.5m of surface, or no longer used, the contents must be covered with at least 0.5m of soil, or the pit is covered with an impermeable lid
- The pit does not cause an offensive or objectionable odour beyond the boundary of the property
- Offal not completely covered with impermeable material or soil is located more than 150m from any sensitive activity not located on the property i.e. homes, sports ground, churches, beaches.
- No adverse effects on mahinga kai, wāhi tapu or wāhi taonga within the Cultural Landscape/Values Management Area.
Alternatively, where a dead animal cannot be disposed of in accordance with the above, the use of land to bury a single dead animal is permitted as long as:
- the dead animal was produced on the property
- the burial pit does not contain water, and the dead animal is immediately covered by enough soil or plant material to prevent odour or other nuisance
- the burial site is at least 50m from any surface water body, bore or property boundary
- No adverse effects on mahinga kai, wāhi tapu or wāhi toanga within Cultural Landscape Values Management Area (CLVMA)
There is a new prototype tool for on-farm biodiversity assessments.
Use the online tool to find out how biodiversity-friendly your farm actions are.
You can use the tool to:
- assess the effectiveness of your current farm actions; and
- explore the likely impact of changing those actions.
The tool includes 43 actions considered important for New Zealand farmland biodiversity management and reports on the impact for 10 biodiversity groups plus overall farmland biodiversity.
Water taken from ground water and surface water sources enables our economy to thrive year-round. To ensure that water is used responsibly and that it continues to be a plentiful resource, consent holders have several responsibilities to be aware of.
Download the Responsibilities for Water Consent Holders (PDF File, 152.1KB) or read the information under the tabs below.
As a consent holder, you are responsible for:
- Compliance with all your consent conditions.
- Ensuring all water takes over 5 litres per second have a verified water meter and data logger installed which is continuously recording actual daily water use.
- Only taking water according to the specified volumes of your consent, including maximum flow rates, annual volumes and changes in permitted levels during periods of restriction.
- Submitting actual water use data daily via telemetry, or annually by 31 July each year.
Many resource consents contain a condition limiting the taking of water when a river or waterway is on restriction. As the consent holder, it is your responsibility to understand your minimum flow conditions by checking online.
If minimum flows have been reached, you must restrict your water take in accordance with your consent condition. You must also report any errors or any breaches that you observe.
If you have an irrigation device that requires a manual shut off, and a water restriction starts at midnight, you no longer have to get up at midnight to turn off your irrigator.
Instead, you can continue to irrigate until as late as 9am even though technically your water take is on restriction from midnight. This enables you to safely get out and turn off the device anytime between midnight and 9am.
If you choose to do this, then when the irrigation restriction ceases, you must not turn your irrigation on again until the time you turned it off.
For example, if you turned your device off at 6am on a restriction day, you must wait until 6am on a non-restriction day to turn it on.
Environment Canterbury’s website and customer service centre are the only places to find irrigation restriction information.
The Irrigation Restriction webpage contains up to date irrigation restrictions for your area, and relating to your consent (search for ‘irrigation’ at ecan.govt.nz).
This website is updated between 4pm and 7pm each day, with the restrictions being effective from 9am the following day.
A fish screen is a structure intended to harmlessly divert fish away from water takes used for irrigation, stock-water, community supplies or hydro-electric power generation.
If you have a water take that requires a fish screen, you can find out more about their efficiency, and how they are monitored.
Plan your water use for the coming months by using NIWA’s useful Seasonal Climate Outlook. Careful planning can ensure that your water take doesn’t run out in the hot dry months.
To see the latest Seasonal Climate Outlook, go to NIWA.
Working with your neighbours year-round can provide benefits when water is restricted. As part of a water user group, consent holders can share water during times of restriction.
Members of water user groups each have existing consents to take water, and collectively manage the water resource allocated to them, during times of restriction.
Many farmers use their irrigation systems for fertigation. If you do so, you must have a backflow preventer so that contaminants cannot enter the groundwater.
Your backflow preventer must be tested annually, and a copy of the test certificate sent to Environment Canterbury. Any backflow preventer which fails the test must be repaired or replaced and then re-tested.
Find out more about water measuring and backflow prevention.
- 127.5kB CWMS - Good Farming Practice Fact Sheet - May 2018
- 258.3kB Selwyn's Water What's being done Selwyn Seminar Series Booklet
Key Contacts
Zone Manager
Andrew Arps Andrew.Arps@ecan.govt.nz 027 554 4007
Talk to your zone
Gillian Jenkins — Zone Delivery Lead Gillian.Jenkins@ecan.govt.nz 027 706 7254
Talk to your scheme
Central Plains Water Limited — Fiona Crombie fcrombie@cpwl.co.nz 027 207 6499
Fereday Irrigation — Rowan McMath feredays@farmside.co.nz 021 655 547
Lynton Irrigation — Brian Gallagher Brian@dairyholdings.co.nz 027 450 2470
Northbank Irrigation — Gary McGregor Gary@dairyholdings.co.nz 027 434 6558