Nelson City Council

Effective 1 July 2007

An amended strategy was completed in early 2007 and approved by the Environment Committee on 27 March. The strategy is effective on 1 July 2007.

Obtain a copy of the strategy

The Regional Pest Management Strategy is available from all Nelson Public Libraries, Civic House, and by download in four parts.

Download the Regional Pest Management Strategy Part 1: Introduction and Background (PDF @ 235KB)

Download the Regional Pest Management Strategy Part 2: Pest Management Programmes (PDF @ 2.5MB)

Download the Regional Pest Management Strategy Part 3: Administration Provisions, References, Appendices, List of Tables, List of Figures (PDF @ 300KB)

Download the Regional Pest Management Strategy Part 4: List of Maps, Maps (PDF @ 2.5MB)

Background

From the early settlers desire to have a few rabbits to shoot, through to today’s massive movement of shipping containers around the world with the insect hitchhikers they may be carrying, New Zealand has had to deal with a lot of newcomers over the past 150 years.

Threatening species

Many introduced plants and organisms are part of the landscape and the economy and are accepted as part of our lives, but some introduced species threaten economic wellbeing or soil and water quality, indigenous ecosystems or the relationship of Maori to traditional sites.

Plants and animals falling into these categories may be defined as pests under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

We're responsible for resources

The Nelson City Council is a ‘unitary authority’ with Regional Council responsibilities for natural resource management. These responsibilities include things like air quality, water quality, coastal activities and pest management.

Working with Tasman District Council

The Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council work together to control pests and have released a joint Tasman-Nelson Regional Pest Management Strategy. Once approved it will be put into operation by Tasman Council staff, with Nelson City Council support and funding.

What’s the strategy's purpose?

The Regional Pest Management Strategy provides the framework for efficient and effective pest management in the Tasman-Nelson region and aims to:

• minimise actual and potential unintended effects of the organisms identified as pests; and
• maximise the effectiveness of individual pest management action with a regionally co-ordinated response.

What the strategy covers

Council staff considered a large number of potentially harmful organisms and have made some changes to the existing pest list, to reflect our changing times. Eight new pests have been added and eight plants removed from list of pests. Two species of invasive ants (Argentine and Darwin ’s) top the list of new pests added, followed by three species of fish, (Gambusia, Koi Carp and Rudd). There’s one aquatic weed (Hornwort), one semi-aquatic weed (Purple loosestrife) and Pinus contorta (Lodgepole pine).

Weighing the risks to prioritise our efforts

Council biosecurity staff say the pests were categorised as high-risk or potentially high-risk, because of the serious impact they would have on environments (particularly where there has been no invasion), and also where staff felt there was a reasonable chance the pests could be successfully controlled. This reflects the reality that in some parts of the region, it is impractical, or close to impossible, to control or eliminate some widespread pests that have already become established.

Plants taken off the pest list

There are eight plants removed from the strategy and are no longer designated as pests, but information and advice on them will still be provided to land occupiers and community groups. Removal from the list can be for two reasons – either the pest has become too widespread (there is no chance of control), or controls have been successful.

They include: Australian Sedge, Banana Passionvine, Giant Buttercup, Giant Reed, Japanese Honeysuckle, Yellow and Purple Nutsedge, Wandering Jew and Woolly Nightshade.

Targeted pests and how to deal with them

The strategy sets out the full list of the targeted 47 pests in our region, and details monitoring and management strategies for each. Pests are divided into five categories:

1. Total control pests, such as Cathedral Bells and Spartina,
2. Progressive control pests, such as Variegated Thistle and Wild Ginger,
3. Containment pests, such as Purple Pampas and Feral Cats,
4. Boundary control pests, such as Blackberry and Nodding Thistle
5. Regional Surveillance pests such as Undaria and Pinus contorta

What you can do at home

There are steps you can take to do your bit as a home owner and home gardener. Most of the pest plants started life in the garden - sometimes as highly valued specimen plants.

Strategy to inform and educate

The new strategy has more emphasis on information and education to enable people to help themselves and more funding. The councils across the Top of the South and DOC have produced a booklet called ‘Plant Me Instead’ that offers advice on what you can plant instead of nuisance plants and will also have identification and management advice.

Copies of the booklet are available from the Rural Liaison Adviser on +64 3 546 0308 or at Council reception. You can also pick up the free booklets "Dispose of Weed Waste Wisely" and "5 Steps to a Weed Free Garden."

Five year review with our planning partners
The Strategy is reviewed every five years, as legally required under the Biosecurity Act. TDC staff consulted with various stakeholders in the review of the strategy and had input from Biosecurity NZ, DOC, Federated Farmers, Marlborough District Council and the NZ Forest Owners Association.

Find out more

People wanting to discuss any process issues should contact Environmental Policy Monitoring Co-ordinator on 546 0200, or technical issues should contact Robin Van Zoelen at Tasman District Council on +64 3 543 8460.