Farm plans have long been a cornerstone of Southland’s approach to managing environmental contamination risks associated with farming activities and are a key tool in the Southland Water and Land Plan.
To comply with the plan, Southland farmers have until mid-2026 to get a certified farm plan.
Southland Farm Plans need to be tailored to the unique circumstances of your property and catchment.
It’s important to start pulling together information for your farm plan now. We are here to support you with information and advice. Updated material including guidance for creating a farm plan and examples, is being tested with farmers currently, and will form part of the rollout over the coming months.
Timeline
November 2024 – the Government announces it is giving farmers a further 18 months to comply with the Southland Water and Land Plan rule for certified Southland Farm Plans (until 2026).
October 2024 – the Government pauses the rollout of freshwater farm plans to make system improvements. With the withdrawal of the national regulation, regional rules kick in, requiring Southland farmers to have a certified Southland Farm Plan by 27 November 2024 (six months following the Southland Water and Land Plan becoming operative).
May 2024 – After seven years in the environment court, the Southland Water and Land Plan becomes largely operative.
What do I need to include in my Southland Farm Plan?
Your Southland Farm Plan will need to include information on:
- your catchment context – including values, ecosystem and community outcomes
- risk identification and impact assessment – including the identification of critical source areas, plans for the management of fodder crops and wetlands
- actions to mitigate risks – including plans to strategically fence waterways, restore wetlands, and intensive winter grazing plans
- how you will meet the NES-F – including meeting the synthetic nitrogen cap, intensive winter grazing, stock holding and wetland rules
- how you will exclude stock from waterways and meet the new stock exclusion regulations
Further guidance for developing your farm plan will be available soon.
