February hearing for three pest strategies

Public submissions on three strategies designed to provide a more streamlined, flexible regime for managing Northland’s plant and animal pests will be considered in Whangarei shortly. (subs: February 18)


The Northland Regional Council currently has more than 20 separate strategies to deal with pest plants and animals but wants to scale that back to two; one for plants, the second for animals, including insects and pest fish. A third strategy will deal specifically with marine pests.


Don McKenzie, the Council’s Biosecurity Senior Programme Manager, says after an extended consultation period, the Council has received 40 public submissions; 15 on the proposed marine strategy and 25 on the plant and animal strategies.


Mr McKenzie says a three-member Hearings Committee will consider the submissions at the Regional Council’s Water St, Whangarei, offices from 10am on Thursday, February 18.


Summaries of the public submissions on all three proposed strategies are available from the Council’s website www.nrc.govt.nz/pestmanagementreview


Alternatively, hard copies can be obtained by phoning the Council on (0800) 002 004.