Region’s water users now have at least five years before changes to consents will occur
Learn moreRegion’s water users now have at least five years before changes to consents will occur
Mountain Daisies at Upper Beans Burn Photo: Erik Button
Pest plans are required to be reviewed every ten years. The current Pest Plan was established by Council in 2019, so it’s about time we took another look at it.
A full review of the Pest Plan takes time. There is a lot of thinking to do around how well the current plan works, what we might want to improve and what changes are needed to make a more resilient Pest Plan, into the future.
ORC will be working with our neighbouring regional councils where possible, to ensure our Pest Plan is aligned with national and regional priorities and supports a collaborative approach to pest management.
Pests affect us all, so we want everyone to have an opportunity to have their say.
There will be a range of opportunities for individuals and communities to engage through the process including online submission forms and public drop-in sessions. We will start this engagement work in early 2026 and we aim to have all the formal review processes, and any changes to the Pest Plan, completed by mid-2028.
| Step | Approximate starting date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plan review | 1 July 2025 | Under the Biosecurity Act 1993 regional pest management plans need to be reviewed and updated every 10 years. The review of the current Pest Plan commenced on 1 July 2025, after Council endorsement of the project plan in May 2025. ORC will engage with partners, key stakeholders and other affected parties to develop a proposal for a new plan. |
| Notification | Early 2027 | The notification process is designed to provide transparency to the review process. The full proposal for a new Pest Plan will be made public and anyone who has an interest in the proposal can read the documents and consider whether they think the proposal is fair, equitable and likely to deliver the proposed pest management objectives. |
| Submission period | Mid 2027 | The submissions process provides an opportunity for communities and individuals who may not be directly affected by the Pest Plan, but who are interested in regional pest management, to have a say in the final proposal. |
| Hearings | Late 2027 | The hearing process provides an opportunity for those who have made a written submission, on the proposal for the new Pest Plan, to be heard in-person on their submission. |
| Decisions | Early 2028 | The Hearing Panel must be sure that the proposal for a new Pest Plan has answered the points raised in both written and verbal submissions. Once the Hearing Panel is confident that this is the case, they will approve the writing of the new Pest Plan. |
| Plan operative | Mid 2028 | The council will affix the seal to the new plan and the plan will become operative. Consent and compliance rules for Otago will be updated to reflect any changes from this new plan. |
The Regional Pest Management Plan (Pest Plan) sets out the framework for how pest plants and animals specified in the plan will be managed in Otago over the next 10 years.
Information on how the reasons for the review and how ORC will engage with our key stakeholders.
Information on the proposal for a new pest plan and public notification timeframes.
Information on the submissions process and how you can get involved.
Information on the public hearing process, where and when hearings will be held and hearing outcomes.
Information on the decisions process, timeframes and outcomes.
Information on the appeals processes and what will happen should an appeal occur.
