MEDIA RELEASE
Horizons Regional Council

29 August, 2014

Possums, rooks, old man’s beard or something else?

Horizons Regional Council is asking for community feedback about pest control in the Region to help guide decisions for a new Pest Management Plan.

Horizons environmental manager biosecurity Bill Martyn says the national Biosecurity Act has recently changed and Horizons now has the opportunity to review its pest management strategies.

“Before we develop a draft Pest Management Plan that will be put out for formal consultation in April, it’d be great to hear what people think about existing pest control in the Region and what they’d like to see in their area,” says Mr Martyn.

“We’d like to know if the community considers possums, rooks, old man’s beard or something else an issue. What pests need attention, how much effort should we put in and how much are you prepared to invest in it as a ratepayer?”

Chairman Bruce Gordon says “Horizons needs to hear community feedback, particularly around what we more we could be doing”.

“This review is your chance to voice your concerns so please get involved,” says Mr Gordon.

Mr Martyn says feedback will be used to create the draft document which will be put out for formal consultation in April 2015.

“This is your opportunity to influence pest management in the Region at an early stage,” he says.

“All the feedback provided will be put to Council and considered when developing the draft document. So if you have any ideas about how Horizons should manage pest animals or plants now is the time to let us know.”

Feedback can be placed online at www.horizons.govt.nz via the ‘Pest plant and animal’ page, emailing pestplan@horizons.govt.nz, calling toll free 0508 800 800, posting to Freepost 217922 or by contacting your local councillors.

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