(First published June 11, 2021)Calls for compensation for landowners are growing on the West Coast as the Government mulls its new biodiversity policy. It will set out criteria for councils to identify and protect Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) on private land. Some West Coasters are calling the policy a “land grab”, which will lock up land and prevent any development. The report showed the majority of the native vegetation on the West Coast was a potential SNA, the pair said. BRADEN FASTIER / STUFF All native bush on the West Coast could be identified as a significant natural area.

Source: Stuff July 06, 2021 04:07 UTC