Individuals who carry out illegal earthworks to realign or reclaim waterways may face prosecution and potentially a hefty fine, Taranaki Regional Council says. The warning was made after Judge Dickey in the New Plymouth District Court ordered dairy farmer Denis Goodwin to pay a fine of $42,000 after he previously admitted carrying out illegal earthworks on his Komene Road, Ōkato, farm. Goodwin admitted three charges of breaching the Resource Management Act 1991 by discharging sediment (a
of the flood control scheme that would require an upgrade. “While the current defences do provide protection from the design flow of 1180 cubic metres per second or a 1-in-100-year flood, the $450,000 upgrade will provide further protection through allowing for uncertainties associated with climate change prediction and hydraulic modelling,” Mr Vicars says. “Our mission is to support livelihoods across our region and these improvements will give people living, working and shopping in the area
As the garden wakes from its season of slumber, we look forward to growth and renewal. The days stretch longer, buds burst into life, and the earth slowly warms above and below ground. In the ‘New Garden’, fresh grass thickens over newly laid topsoil, paths are re-contoured, and garden beds refined to improve flow. These changes create new vistas and help showcase the collection with depth and design in mind. Spring flowers are a highlight at Hollard Gardens, with the coming months offering a
area with only the most wily or lucky left, according to Towards Predator-Free Taranaki programme lead Nick Heslop. “We are down to chasing individual possums now, there are so few it’s at the point we are starting to name them!” While that work continues with the aid of cameras, scat detection dogs and targeted trapping, attention has also turned to the design and creation of a 3km barrier stretching across private farmland south-east of the Kaitake Range. Self-reporting cameras are installed on
Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020 (NES-FW) as part of the Government’s Essential Freshwater reforms and came into effect on 3 September 2020. As of 1 January 2025, these regulations were revoked and no longer apply. This means that resource consent is no longer required under the NES-FW for the conversion of non-dairy land to dairy farmland, however a consent may still be required under our Regional Freshwater Plan. If you are unsure or require clarification, please seek advice from Council on
relation to this decision; and in accordance with section 79 of
the Act, determines that it does not require further information, further assessment of options or
further analysis of costs and benefits, or advantages and disadvantages prior to making a decision
on this matter.
Hughes/Walker
Policy and Planning Committee - Confirmation of Policy and Planning Minutes - 4 February 2025
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Freshwater Implementation February Update
L Hawkins provided a freshwater
The mornings may still be chilly at Pukeiti, but warmer days and more sun are bringing the first real sense of spring. Recent weeks have seen the garden bathed in sunlight, with the team busy pruning and planting in preparation for the season ahead. The big-leaf rhododendrons are now in the midst of their spectacular display along the Valley of the Giants Loop. Rhododendron protistum var. giganteum is the first to flower, followed by Rhododendron protistum ‘Pukeiti’ and the creamy-yellow R.
there is any change in soil health, and if so, the direction of that change in relation to previously assessed samples. Sixteen of our consent monitoring programmes also have a soil health or soil quality monitoring component to ensure the consented activity does not adversely affect soil health. Regional results
Results from the most recent survey, October to November 2012, showed that 81% of soil samples met target ranges for soil productivity and health. Biological functioning was consistent
A review of Taranaki’s water resilience and security is being undertaken by Taranaki Regional Council after the region was hit by a severe drought this summer. Working with the three district councils, government agencies, Venture Taranaki and other stakeholders, the Council study will identify how to better understand the current and future demand for water in the region. Taranaki had one of its driest summers ever in 2024/25 with some areas receiving less than half of the usual rainfall and
A modern space with panoramic views and great indoor/outdoor flow onto the main deck. Team building and accommodation options available.