Fencing guideline plans rubbished

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A Queenstown high-country farmer has described plans to create a fencing "guideline" as ridiculous, claiming it was another unwarranted regulation for farmers.

Developer and farmer David Broomfield said he has spent $312,000 fighting Queenstown Lakes District Council for three years to retain his 3.6km boundary fence running along Skippers Canyon.

Council has said earthworks associated with Mr Broomfield's fence required consent but he contested this, at first losing in the Environment Court before winning in the High Court earlier this year.

Council chief executive Duncan Field said the High Court's decision that earthworks did not need consent if they were "reasonably necessary" was too vague, with farmers and council needing more direction.

After mediation with Mr Broomfield, it had been agreed a guideline would be established, he said.

"We will develop the guideline around what is reasonable and apply that administratively through Lakes Environmental."

The guideline would balance landscape protection against practical farm management, he said.

But Mr Broomfield said he never agreed to any guideline and was still considering his legal options.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "The high-country farmers have got to be treated with more respect."

Wanaka-based Federated Farmers Otago president Richard Burdon said the Queenstown Lakes farming community was up in arms about increasing council regulations.

"It wouldn't surprise me if they employ a consultant from Auckland to tell us how to put a fence in," he said.

The guideline should be completed by next month and might lead to changes in the district plan.ben.heather@stl.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News