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Bay of Plenty Regional Council have the distinction of the highest regional revenue at $ 1 29.2 million, which is well above the national mean (+$83.2 million) and mean (+$74.4 million). They administer a moderately large land area (NZ's 8th largest regional area) with a low population density (0. 1 8 people/ha). SLM issues are diverse (Figure 2. 1 2), and as discussed during the i nterview, are considered more manageable than similar issues faced by some other regional authorities. The Council also has a notably hjgh degree of integration and collaboration with territorial authorities regarding SRM and SLM responsibilities.

General methods of promoting SRM are only lightly introduced in the Council's RPS (EBOP, 1 999), but those relating to land are covered i n detail within the Regional Land Management Plan (EBOP, 2002). The Plan acknowledges ' a general desire . . . to move away from . . . confrontational methods', in favour of education, advocacy, guidelines, services and economic instruments (ibid. , p.S7). However, in seeking 'to be proactive and firm in establ ishing boundaries to acceptable land management' rules were also considered necessary as the 'environmental bottom line' (ibid.). Taken together, the Council is pursuing a balance of promotion, restriction and monitoring, as the best means to achieve it's desired SLM outcomes. I ndeed, this is explicitly captured as policy: 'to use an efficient and effective balance of metllods to achieve the purpose of this plan' (EBOP, 2002, Policy 8. 1 . 3 a, p.60).

A balanced use of key instruments was also stated as the overall approach used by the Council during the interview. This was given in a context of the monitoring and compliance group (who focus on restrictions) balancing tl1e operations and rural services group (who focus on the promotion dimension). The interviewee (Laurie Donald) was part of the latter group.

BAY OF PLENTY REG IONAL COU NCIL SUMMARY

Figure 2. 12: General sUn/n/my for Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Chapter 2: Regional Authorities and the Promotion ofSIM

AREA: 1.22 million ha of land" _& 0.9 million ha of coastal waters

POPULATION: 224,365

REVENUE: $ 129. 18 million in (2002)

EXPENDITURE: 598.57 million (2002); S3.6m biosecurity; $826,000 land management; $ 1.2m envr enhancement

SLM-RELATED ISSUES (from RPS):

- Riparian _& wetland areas - Adverse effects _of land use _& land - Pests (& weeds) productivity (soil sustainability)

-Soil conservation -Natural character & - Water quality _& quantity indigenous ecosystems

R ELEVANT PLAN STATUS

- Onsite Effluent Treatment Regional Plan (operative)

- BoP Regional Land Management Plan (proposed)

- RP for Tararawera River Catchment (proposed) - Regional River Gravel Managemen t Plan (proposed) - Regional Water & Land Plan (draft)

REGIONAL LAND USE"

AGRJCULTURAL • NA 71VE FORf5T

o SCRUBLAND, DUNELAND, TUSSOCK. ETe o OTHER (urban, rivers, lakes, quarries, �tc)

• EJ01lC FOIIfST

• Derived from NZLRI (see Appendix 3)

A balanced approach is also reflected in the degree of instrument use (Table 2 . 7), although there was a suggestion

that financial receive particular emphasis, while education was perhaps not being used in a

way that distinguished it from advocacy. Education in a training and learning sense was the only instrument that the interviewee would prefer to see a considerably greater use of relative to other instruments. Likewise, financial incentives/assistance were the only instruments to be afforded a ' major use' status, which included a substantial works grant scheme associated with land improvement agreements and environmental programmes (farm plans).

It also included a contestable Environmental Enllancement Fund targeting community projects. Relative to many other RAs, the high investment in financial incentives/assistance appears to be distinguishing feature of the Council ' s approach to promoting SLM (but only relative to other councils; within the BoP it is 'balanced' against the use of other instruments).

The interviewee was not comfortable making a distinction between covenants and management agreements. Land Improvement Agreements are used to protect the investment of public monies, but they were also validly regarded as a form of covenant. A distinct preference for the former was indicated on the basis that an agreement is more flexible for negotiating an agreeable compromise between conservation, protection and use. Use of agreements was likely to increase, although the legality of e.\.1ending Land Improvement Agreements to cover the protection of on-fann natural areas was uncertain at the time.

Current use Probable change in use Preferred change in use

Major use� up to 50% subsidy/grant

Financial rate available for 'enviromnental weed' _{change Perhaps a sI ight increase}

incentives control, pest control, and retirement fencing

Financial _{Not used directly Unlikely to change Wouldtl"t like to see a change}

disincentives

TeclmicaI Used. particularly as they relate to the

Unlikely to change Content with the current degree of use

sen1ices preparation of enviromnental plans

Competitions, Used, particularly to promote the Did not indicate a probable change in _{No preference given} awards & prizes Council's 0\\11 image use

Financial Did not choose to distinguish between Did not choose to distinguish between Did not choose to distinguish between

assistance _{finanCial incentives and assistance} finanCial incentives and assistance finanCial incentives and assistance

Regulation Used Probably no change Preferred no change

T radable I'ights Not used (although EBOP has strong _{links with territorialJy constituent Unlikely to change but did not indicate if a greater lIse was} Supported the concept of tradable rights

& duties _{District Councils who do) preferred}

Minor use as Conservation Covenants Preferred no change; considered these

Covenants _{and Q Ell open space covenants.} Unlikely to change types of covenant too inflexible;

preferred management agreements No preference was given, although they

Management Used; 'Land Improvement Agreements' Perhaps a slight increase with a recent were actively looking at alternative

agreements are used in grant schemes policy swing towards greater protection _{of biodiversity/natural habitat on fanns better acconunodate the biodiversity} of mgt agreements that could

dimension of land improvement

Education to Used, but perhaps more in an advocacy Would like to see a considerably greater

and promotional sense. Minor use in a Slight increase

assist

training & leaming sense. use of education for learning & training

Education for Chose not to distinguish educational Chose not to distinguish educational Chose not to distinguish educational

promoting & assistance FOI/I promotion & assistance from promotion & assistance FOIn promotion &

encouraging encouragement encouragement encouragement

Table 2. 7: Bay of Plenty Regional Council usage of general instruments for promoting SLM.

In contrast to the Council ' s interpretation and overall use of education, the operations and rural services group did not use promotional material for SLM, but instead made major use of fact sheets or information packages (Table 2 . 8). DIY kits, field days and focus farms were not used or supported to any notable degree. Industry-led farmer discussion groups were used if an invitation was forthcoming. At the time, no Landcare groups were in operation in BoP, although there were several Coastcare and Dunecare groups. However as Landcare groups were likely to increase in the Region, the Council would be willing to offer their services where and when appropriate. The interviewee was agreeable towards supporting Landcare groups.

Extensive use was made of one-to-one fann visits. Indeed, it was stated this represents a significant component of the operations and rural services group, particularly in relation to the preparation of environmental programmes ([arm plans). Including direct links with associated instruments, the interviewee considered this to be the most effective approach for promoting SLM.

Current use P" obable change in use Preferred change in use

Promotional _{Not used} Did not indicate a probable change in _{No preference given}

material use

Fact. sheets & _{Major use No change Content with the current degree of use}

iufo packages

Perhaps a slight increase if VSA is Was not particularly interested in DIY

DIY kits Not used adopted, and interest in care groups kits, on the basis that few individuals

continues to grow have the time or inclination to use them

Farm visits (1 to Ex1ensive use: represents a significant Content with the current degree of use:

1 consultation) component of all 'operations and nlral _services' No change _{way" [for effecting change 1} actually states ' its really the only useful Not used. However, biodiversity mgt.

Focus farms is monitored on 6 fanlls _{protection rate of regeneration. weed} (i.e. post- o change No preference given

invasion, bush health, etc.)

No preference given, although it was

Field days Not used directly; may 'tie into' field _{days organised by other parties.} No change (will continue to integrate _{with other field days ifpossible)} considered that the time required to _{organise a Council field day was not}

adequately offset by the benefit

Famler discus- Used; will integrate with industry _{No change No change}

sion groups group if the opportunity arises

Landcare groups are likely to increase No preference given, although the idea

Landcare groups Not used (see below) in the BOP. EBOP will offer their _{the basis that it takes the Council 'out} of Landcare groups was supported (on

services to new groups

of the loop' Other co m- Used, but only in relation to coast-care

Probably an increase No preference given

munity groups type groups

No preference gi ven, but the

Regular _{Minor use No change} interviewee was against adding to the

publications unlooked for material 'that tUnlS up in

peoples letter boxes

Table 2.8: Bay of Plenty Regional Council usage of extension/delivery methods for promoting SLM.