We are seeking community feedback on a proposal to amend the Tasman-Nelson Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) 2019 – 2029 which allows for rules around new pests and refines our current policies.

This is your opportunity to influence pest management activities and policies in our region.

As with the development of the current RPMP in 2018/2019, the proposal is a collaborative effort between Tasman District and Nelson City Councils.

The proposal changes intend to declare blue passion flower, moth plant, common and purple pampas, water celery, Vietnamese parsley and several pest and wilding conifer trees as new pests in the whole, or parts of, Tasman-Nelson.

It also serves to amend existing pest policies and rules around boneseed, Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella) and feral/stray cats, the details of which place new obligations on occupiers of land and marine craft/structures accordingly.

The proposed changes do not otherwise affect the operative Tasman-Nelson RPMP, except for minor changes required to update the Plan and reflect the inclusion of the new sections and policies and rules.

All submissions will be considered before making amendments to the RPMP. A Hearing is planned for late May, before the amended plan is finalised in June.

Both Councils are expected to approve and adopt the plan later in the year.

Submissions close 5:00 pm Thursday 28 March 2024.

All submissions (including your name and contact details) will be provided to Council workers for administration and analysing feedback, and to those who are involved in decision making on the consultation.

All submissions, including submitter names (unless you request otherwise) but not contact details, will be publicly available online. The body of your submission and any attachments will not be checked for personal information and it should be assumed that anything included in these will be made public.

Note, Council is subject to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and a request for official information may cover your submission, including your address and other contact details.