| 55 nzdairy Federated Farmers Dairy rep for North Otago, Otto Dogterom with daughter Benya. DAIRY PEOPLE » Otto Dogterom No rural consultation on district plans a concern Karen Phelps Federated Farmers Dairy Rep for North Otago Otto Dogterom has grave concerns about local district council plans and the possible implications for farmers in the region. For example he says the Waitaki District Council long-term plan is proposing overlays over private farmland. “Even though there was a lot of consultation it wasn’t with farmers. I contacted council about this and they came out with landscape architects and I voiced my concerns. But instead of taking my feedback on board the changes became even more restrictive afterwards,” he says. “I was really disappointed they didn’t take into account any of the feedback. The district plan is being put into place without consulting the rural community a lot and that’s not right as if the changes are made that would mean a lot of additional consents for operating a farm and this would place additional burden on farmers.” He likewise has concerns about the Otago Regional Council proposed new rules in the Land and Water Regional Plan. “This will mean more compliance coming at farmers but the plan is based on water sampling taken between 2012-2017 and they haven’t taken into account the improvements already made. Once again it’s not a balanced view and there was no consultation with the rural community about the plan. That’s really frustrating.” Otto says in his role as both a farmer and Federated Farmers Dairy Rep for North Otago he will continue to challenge: “We’ll see what central government does. From my point of view we are willing to come to a workable compromise but they definitely need to listen to the concerns of the farming community.” Otto questions the focus placed by councils on the farming community when it doesn’t seem interested in looking at the environmental impact of other industries such as tourism and in fact is encouraging these things. “Tourism is not a low carbon activity so if society is so worried about the environmental impact of farming things like tourism should be considered equally. A lot of policy is based on emotion and not science and what looks good to the wider public. What worries me is how unattractive being a farmer will be for the next generation. For the future of New Zealand it is important to keep the profession attractive.” Originally hailing from Holland, when he left school Otto immediately started on a small farm of 16 cows. He moved to New Zealand in 1993 and had enough money to purchase his first farm. It was the start of a successful enterprise, which today spans five dairy farms totalling 1000ha and milking 2700 cows and an 800ha run off in Duntroon. A mix of sharemilker, contract milkers and managers runs the farms. He is also in partnerships with ex employees in a further three dairy farms totalling 1200ha and milking 1800 cows and a 500ha beef farm running 700 bulls and trading stock. David Graham 027 474 8325 dave@irritech.co.nz Roger Simpson 027 474 8324 rog@irritech.co.nz • 16B Connelly Way, Cromwell • admin@irritech.co.nz • s • Agricultural irrigation design • Stock water design and supply • Supply of irrigators and material • Project management • Installation of system • Commissioning Irritech Otago are happy to be working alongside Otto Dogterom Proudly supporting O o Dogterom 3 Usk St, Oamaru 9400 | www.nops.co.nz | 03 434 7766 Otago Transport Ltd. 17 Tiverton St, Palmerston Ph: 03 465 1147 | Email: carey.turner@xtra.co.nz Contact Carey 027 458 5642 Specialists in... General Stock | Bulk Cartage | Stock Haulage Fertiliser Spreading | Sawdust | Wood Chips
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