Critics Slam EW’s Plan for Pest Control Charges

By TIFFANY, Martin

USER PAYS Environment Waikato wants to charge more if landowners want a different form of pest control on their property than that which the council wants to use. If the landowner won’t pay, the ratepayer picks up the tab or the project is abandoned.

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A new pest control charging system proposed by the regional council has been called a slap in the face for landowners who don’t buy into mainstream pest control.

The new tiered charging systems will allow Environment Waikato (EW) to charge more if the landowner wants a different control method from the one EW proposes.

The new system was presented to the regional pest management committee on Friday for recommendation to the full council but has been put on hold for a month at least to allow consultation.

The report recommends that if landowners and EW can’t agree on the proposed pest control method then the landowner pays the additional costs “over and above the treatment options that EW recommends”.

If a landowner does not agree to pay the additional cost, the matter would be referred to the regional pest management committee with three possible outcomes – the landowner funds the work, the extra cost be paid by regional ratepayers or the work is abandoned.

The proposal has been slammed by long- time anti-1080 campaigner Reihana Robinson who said the proposed changes – which she contended EW tried to sneak in under the radar – amounted to a punishment for residents who wanted to enjoy a clean environment.

“Such a policy is coercive and intimidating,” she said.

“It is designed with one purpose and only one purpose in mind. And that is to threaten residents, and particularly those on limited incomes, with serious financial consequences should they oppose the programme of your pest control staff, which is set without public consultation and with no public mandate,” Mrs Robinson said.

She was given permission by committee chairman Simon Friar to address Friday’s meeting and asked that the tiered approach not be recommended for adoption

Mrs Robinson’s comments struck a chord with the committee as they agreed to put off the decision until the next month’s meeting.

Cr Friar said the delay would give all members a chance to get reaction from their constituents.

“Sometimes we get so bogged down in process we don’t use common sense,” Cr Friar said.

“Even a straw poll approach is better than sitting here debating it. . . we could ask farmers at Fieldays,” he said.

“We need to take time to make the right decision.”

EW chief executive Harry Wilson cautioned the meeting to ensure they knew what they were proposing.

The meeting agreed to accept the report but delay their decision another month and then see if they would recommend it to full council.

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(c) 2008 Waikato Times. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.