Moutere Valley residents are proving bigger isn’t always better when it comes to wetlands thanks to a Tasman District Council rule that means landowners wanting to create smaller wetlands don’t need expensive consents.
David Watts has created small ponds on his property, turning it into a new wetland.
“We’re dry in summer, so I wanted a green oasis.”
With a $600 grant for fuel and a full d’ays labour, Watts was able to create the wetland without bureaucratic hurdles.
“I would have loved to do a larger wetland. Not possible. Too many hoops to jump over, and so this was a piece of cake.”
Yachal Upson created a wetland on his property six months ago and said the impact was immediate.
“Wildlife just swamped into the space — from dragonflies turning up in the house to frogs settling in here and all sorts.”
The success of these projects is largely down to a Tasman District Council rule that allows landowners to install small-scale wetlands if the catchment is under 20 hectares and the wetland is located more than 10m from a stream.
Fish and Game chief executive Corina Jordan said these rules weren’t the norm and there had been increased regulation around wetlands.
“It was originally intended to stop the loss of wetlands across New Zealand, but it’s really had a perverse impact where it’s making it far more difficult for people on the ground to do great stuff.”
Around 90% of New Zealand’s wetlands have been destroyed by agricultural and urban development.
The wetland restoration project was part of a wider effort in the area.
NZ Landcare Trust regional coordinator Annette Litherland said the organisation had funding for 370,000 trees but landowners had put in more than 500,000.
“It’s amazing what groups of people can do collectively — everybody doing a bit.”
