Response

Council responds in a number of ways to the pressures on rural development. This includes requiring resource consents for subdivision resulting in the creation of lots of less than 8ha in the rural area. In addition Council continues to monitor development in the rural area to determine the extent of residential development. In addition to the Council’s response, Environment Waikato encourages the maintenance of the quality of the land by promoting good soil management practices to maintain the health of the land within the Region. Care groups also operate throughout the region and work on a range of projects and issues, many related to the protection and enhancement of soil health.

What can you do to help?

If you wish to live in the country, consider buying land on the lower slope of the Kaimai Ranges or the Western Ranges of the district where the poorer quality soils are found.