Borst farms three properties on an area considered a nitrogen sensitive area because of the potential for nitrates to enter the Kakanui-Kauru aquifer and then in to the Kakanui River.
The plan limits nitrogen application in this area to 20kg N/ha a year from April 1, 2020, but Borst said to maintain the financial backing of his investors, he required certainty beyond 2020.
“While the applicant has committed to implementing an ongoing programme of works to further reduce nutrient losses across its three farms, it does not anticipate that the permitted threshold will be met by 1 April, 2020 and therefore seeks a permit for the discharge of nitrogen to land for a period of fifteen years, commencing 1 April, 2020 for each of the three farms,” the council staff report noted.
Borst has already taken steps to reduce nitrogen losses through changing farm practices, fencing and planting waterways and lowering stocking rates and has committed to further reductions of 10% by 2020, 20% by 2025 and 30% by 2030 against benchmark discharge allowances.
This would still result in absolute nitrogen loss rates of 35kg N/ha a year averaged over all three farms by 2030, above the council’s quality standard.
Council staff say water quality would still be an improvement on what it is now and adverse effects from granting consent were unlikely to be significant because all farmers in the catchment were required to meet the new nitrogen limits.
It is recommended consent be granted with conditions. A hearing is being held next week.
