North Island regional policy manager Dr Paul le Miere told the Auckland Federated Farmers conference the proposed plan changes will affect 1.1 million hectares, of which 950,000ha is farmed.
The lobby group has four major objections to the proposals around land use changes being halted, nitrogen reference points based on benchmark years being established and a requirement for farm environment plans, which it believes could be subject to micro-management by the council.
A big and it believes costly sticking point is the proposed exclusion of stock from steeper hill country, fencing of waterways on lesser slopes and a 5m setback for cultivation.
Le Miere said a study of 11 hill country farms showed an average cost per landowner could be $48,000 as the plan stands.
It is too strict on nitrogen leaching and the minimum standards set are unworkable so the federation has developed an alternative plan, AF1, based on a sub-catchment approach.
“It’s looking at industry issues, more flexibility and certainty and uses a most practicable actions framework for farm environment plans,” he said.
“It’s effects-based and takes a consistent approach.”
The federation is still working on paths for change and minimum standards, which it is talking about at member meetings.
One change it could suggest would be a move to a maximum stocking rate rather than degrees of slope to determine management of steeper country.
And ways are being looked at to accommodate vegetable growers who under the council plan can’t rotate crops as they do now for good soil management.
Le Miere said hearings on the plan are due to start at the end of the year with a decision expected halfway through next year but then the matter could end up in the Environment Court.
“It will cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars and we have a limited budget,” he said.
A planner has already been employed to deal with the proposed plan changes but money is needed for a soil scientist as well.
The federation has set up a donation page on its website suggesting all farmers donate $1000 each.
Former Auckland president Wendy Clark asked whether the plan is achievable.
Le Miere said it is estimated 6500 farmers will be affected by 2026 as the plan stands and council staff well realise the problems involved in achieving compliance from all of them.
