Hurunui landowners now need to identify nutrient loss figures
Landowners in the Hurunui and Waiau river catchments need to know their property’s nutrient loss figures, required under
the Hurunui and Waiau River Regional Plan, which became operative in December 2013.
“The plan aims to maintain and improve water quality by setting catchment-wide limits for key nutrients, said David
Bedford, an Environment Canterbury Commissioner and a member of the Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee set up as part of the
Canterbury Water Management Strategy.
"Improved nutrient management in the Hurunui-Waiau zone is crucial if we are going to provide for both more development
as well as better environmental and cultural outcomes, as envisaged by the zone committee.
“The plan encourages land-users to become more aware of and involved in nutrient management as part of the
catchment-wide approach to improving water quality.”
Farmers who aren’t already using Overseer® to assess their nutrient management will need to start a nutrient budget this
year. Producing a nutrient budget is a service provided by a rural professional such as a fertiliser representative,
farm advisor or consultant.
“Knowing how much nitrogen and phosphorus is leaching from properties is critical because the plan sets nutrient
concentrations for the wider catchment as well as load limits for the Hurunui River, where the phosphorus load has
already been exceeded.”
The plan’s loads for nitrogen and phosphorus are measured in the Hurunui River at the SH1 bridge and the limits are
based on the average level between 2005 and 2010. The nutrient limits in the plan are designed to protect fish and other
aquatic animals from nitrate toxicity, as well as meeting drinking water standards.
“For farmers, the plan means they need to start monitoring their nutrient loss and looking for ways to minimise leaching
and nutrient runoff.”
Farmers planning land use change also need to seek advice as the plan restricts activities where increased nutrient
losses of more than 10% may result.
A resource consent may also be required if a farmer is looking at intensifying or changing land use. Examples of land
use change include dairy conversions, wintering of cattle, new or increased irrigation, changed stocking types or rates
and deforestation.
Land users are advised to talk to Environment Canterbury (0800 324 636) if they have questions about the plan or are
thinking about a significant land use change.
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