Submissions close on pest plan

Submissions on the proposal for a Southland Regional Pest Management Plan and proposed Biosecurity Strategy closed on Tuesday and staff will now get to work compiling the submissions and determining a starting date for the hearing.

Approximately 150 submissions were received, although staff have yet to work through them to determine whether they are eligible and which topics they cover.

Director of operations Jonathan Streat said he's aware that there have been a significant number of submissions on the proposal for a site-led programme at Omaui, including rules relating to domestic cats. The proposal attracted significant media attention when it was released.

The proposed plan was released in September, with submissions closing on 23 October. It includes rules for 72 specific pests, along with good neighbour rules for species such as gorse, broom, ragwort and nodding thistle.

The next stage in the process is to hold a hearing, which is scheduled for late 2018 or early 2019. This is an opportunity for those submitters who indicated they wished to be heard, to address a hearing panel in person and outline their submission. The hearing panel will then consider all submissions and release their decisions which will be taken to council for approval.

We are pleased that so many people took the time to provide feedback as this is what the consultation period is all about. Gathering a wide range of views provides the hearing panel with many things to consider, so we get the best possible plan for the region, Jonathan said.