Dates have been confirmed for the phased rollout of freshwater farm plans in the region, Otago Regional Council (ORC) says.

ORC environmental implementation manager Libby Caldwell said this will give farmers and growers certainty of when they need to begin work on preparing their plans - a new regulation which mandates farms over a certain size need audited freshwater plans.

She said ORC had already fielded a number of questions about this farming community.

“It’s great to see such interest in an area where we can see so much potential to focus on freshwater while helping farmers and growers plan for the future.”

More than 3,500 Otago farmers will need freshwater farm plans, from about 34,500 across the country.

The plans will apply to all pastoral or arable land of more than 20 hectares and all horticultural land of five hectares or more.

The freshwater farm plans are a key part of the government’s wider Essential Freshwater reforms, which aim to protect and improve freshwater quality and ecosystems across New Zealand.

The roll-out of freshwater farm plans across Otago’s six freshwater management units will begin next February. 

Farmers will have 18 months following the start-dates in their part of Otago to have their freshwater farms plans created and certified.

The Upper Clutha has a start date of February 2025.

“ORC will have staff available to help support this implementation over the next couple of years including workshops and one-on-one meetings with farmers to ensure they understand the process and are confident in creating a freshwater farm plan,” Libby said.

“We will soon be calling for expressions of interest from those looking to train as certifiers and auditors of freshwater farm plans in Otago.”

PHOTO: Supplied