That compares to the significantly larger Waikato Regional Council at $334,000 and Tasman at $306,000.
Southland claimed almost a quarter of the nation’s total $2 million of fines. It secured 41 convictions, most related to illegal discharges of contaminants to waterways.
Of those charged with infringements last year in Southland 54% of the parties were farming related.
Northern Southland dairy farmer Aaron Wilson has been instrumental in engaging farmers with Environment Southland and is not surprised at the council’s high strike rate in enforcement.
“In fact I do not think that would surprise anyone who farms down this way.
“We have had it far tougher than many farmers elsewhere would appreciate. And for dry stock farmers, it is likely to come as something of a shock when the region’s land and water plan comes into play but for us we have pretty much done a lot of the work, including having farm environment plans.”
He said dairy farmers are well aware of the council’s role in being a tough but fair enforcer of the act and significant progress has been made in the past decade, possibly after some egos departed both farmer and council groups.
“Really, when it comes to things like farm environment plans they are the low-hanging fruit dairy farmers have already picked.
“It has been quite under-reported just how far ahead we are in this down here.”
Wilson has been instrumental in helping get farmers around the table with a council wrestling with land use impacts and helping it put up clear, solid regulations for farmers to follow without fear they will be changed in coming months or years.
The report identified Southland as having 71% compliance, similar to Northland and Bay of Plenty and ahead of Canterbury on 63% , Otago 60% and Waikato 44%.
That, in part, reflects the resources Environment Southland has committed to enforcement.
The region has 0.13 full-time enforcement staff per 1000 people compared to 0.1 in Waikato and only 0.03 in Wellington.
Wilson’s Waimea Catchment group initially worked closely with the council establishing science-based understandings of the region’s ground water and elevated nitrate levels that are related to geology rather than farming activity.
Despite the collaboration, Wilson acknowledged every Southland farmer’s pulse rate rises when confronted with a visit from Environment Southland staff.
“They have come a long way.
“But you know that when they visit there is no leeway. It’s a heart-in-the-mouth moment but it does make your job easier knowing exactly where you stand. Not every region gets that.”
