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Consents and Compliance

The Farmer's Guide

There are a lot of rules and guidelines that farmers need to understand.

These rules apply to farming activities, with information on when you might need a resource consent, useful links, relevant dates and answers to frequently asked questions.

Contact us

If you're ever unsure, contact our consent enquiries team who can help with consent information.

Book a time to talk to us.

Email consent.enquiries@orc.govt.nz

Tel 0800 474 082

 

 

Activities near a wetland

If you have a wetland on your property, there are rules around activities around, in and near wetlands that you need to know about. Read more

Agricultural intensification and dairy support

Find out about farm irrigation and land use. Read more

Animal effluent storage and discharge

Find out how new water plan rules affect your storage and discharge. Read more

Catchment advisors

For advice and support on managing waterways. Read more

Composting

When done correctly, composting is good for the environment. Read more

Critical source areas

The National Environmental Standard for Freshwater has particular rules about intensive winter grazing through critical source areas. Read more

Culverts, weirs and instream structures

There are rules in place to protect fish passage. These apply to culverts, weirs, flap gates, fords and dams. Read more

Dams

If you are constructing a new dam, find out about resource consent. Read more

Dust suppression

You may need to apply to ORC for a resource consent to apply a dust suppressant to roads Read more

Feedlots and stockholding areas

Find out about regulations relating to stockholding and feedlots from the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater. Read more

Freshwater farm plans

The Government is developing the requirements of these in 2023, so it’s a good time to start preparing. Read more

Funding support

There is funding available for community-led projects that protect, enhance or promote Otago's environment. Read more

Good practice

Get tips for good practices in your farm management Read more

Gravel extraction

Planning to extract alluvium/gravel? Find out what is permitted. Read more

Intensive winter grazing

Find out how new rules might affect intensive winter grazing on your farm Read more

Landfills and offal pits

If you have a landfill or an offal pit on your property, you must ensure that it isn’t polluting the land, water or air. Read more

Managing silage

Managing your own silage and compost can be cost-effective, but needs to be carefully managed. Read more

New water rules

A framework designed to stop degradation of our waterways and improve where water quality is degraded. Read more

Outdoor burning

An outdoor fire, whether it be in a brazier, a rural and controlled burn off, or a hangi, must comply with Otago Air Plan rules. Read more

Stream clearance and works in waterways and rivers

If you want to undertake stream clearance at any scale, you will require resource consent. Read more

Sediment traps

Find out about standards for traps, if you need a resource consent and to access an application form. Read more

Stock access to water

There are rules under both our Regional Water Plan and the Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020 which restrict stock access to water. Read more

Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser cap

On grazed land, there is a cap on the amount of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser you can apply without needing a resource consent. Read more

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