[File photo]Farmer protest group Groundswell NZ will hold its stance against letting public servants onto land to survey natural areas, despite an indication farmers may be compensated for losing land. Some farmers have likened the identification of significant natural areas to a land grab, fearing land could be locked up, and they would be unable to use it. Groundswell co-founder Laurie Peterson said if a farmer’s land was rezoned and taken because it was deemed a significant natural area, they should be compensated. It specifies that councils must identify the significant natural areas within five years. Many areas were significant natural areas because the farmer had looked after it, he said.

Source: Stuff June 10, 2021 05:35 UTC