Otago farmers are being urged to start thinking about their Freshwater Farm Plans (FWFP), which will begin to be rolled out in the region early next year.

FWFPs 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.

They require farms over a certain size to get a certified and audited FWFP.

The “cornerstone” of the FWFP is to “support and focus [on] on-farm actions to address any impacts on freshwater, wetlands and ecosystems,” Otago Regional Council (ORC) acting general manager regulatory Joanna Gilroy said.

They will “build on the great work already being done to date, including with existing plans”.

“The plans will be property-specific and give farmers the flexibility to find the right solutions for their farm and catchment area,” Joanna said.

All pastoral or arable land of more than 20 hectares will require a FWFP, as will all horticultural land of five hectares or more.

The FWFPs will need to include maps identifying waterways and wetlands, contaminant discharges, risks to freshwater and freshwater ecosystems from activities such as irrigation, nutrient application, effluent, winter grazing, stock-holding areas, stock exclusion, offal pits or farm landfills.

The roll out of the FFPs is being phased in a few regions at a time, starting in Southland and Waikato on August 1.

Otago, the West Coast and Manawatu are listed in the second phase of the roll-out which is expected to begin early next year.

“We’re keen to start this great work with our communities and are waiting to see how things land for Otago.” Joanna said.

“We know people are looking at ways to continue to look after the environment and farm plans support this in a targeted and site-specific way.”

Joanna ORC will be working closely with sector groups, iwi, farmers and industry on the implementation of the FWFPs and workshops on the regulations will begin in the coming months.

 Find more information about FWFPs here.

 PHOTO: Wānaka App