Cubicle farm 'fits zone plan'

Waitaki District Council is standing by its decision to grant land-use consent to a proposed series of controversial cubicle dairy farms.

Five Rivers, South Down Holdings and Williamson Holdings have all lodged consent applications with Environment Canterbury for land, air and water use in the Upper Waitaki sites.

The proposals have been criticised by dairy exporter Fonterra, and Prime Minister John Key has said the Government does not support the idea, which would collectively have more than 17,000 cows in 18 cubicle farms for 24 hours a day for eight months of the year, and 12 hours a day for the remaining four months.

However, the Waitaki District Council, in October, granted land-use consent for intensive farming – collectively involving more than 100ha of earthworks – to all three companies. Five Rivers also received a certificate of compliance to install underground pump stations and pipeline from Lake Ohau.

Planning consents manager David Campbell said as the proposals were not within areas classified as outstanding natural landscapes, the environmental effects these consents would have on the area were considered to be less than minor. "Our plan allows for farming activity within the rural scenic zone, and we did not feel the triggers were reached."

He said because the farms were a long distance away from any nearby property, the council did not feel there were many affected parties.

As of yesterday, ECan had received more than 1500 submissions against the proposed operations, some from as far away as France and Britain, outstripping the 1300 lodged in opposition to the Central Plains Water scheme, the most controversial irrigation scheme ever proposed in Canterbury.

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman has asked for the government to "call in" the consents as a project of national significance, citing the effects the proposals may have on the environment.

Many of the submissions have raised concerns about the possible animal welfare issues, as well as effects on the environment.

However, Mr Campbell said the council has no authority to consider animal welfare issues under the Resource Management Act.

Public submissions on the consents with Environment Canterbury close on December 18. A public meeting to discuss the proposal will be held on Monday at Twizel Events Centre.

- © Fairfax NZ News