Feral cats are proposed to only be controlled in areas of high ecological value. Photo: Supplied / Department of Conservation
One would think allowing the control of feral cats would be a simple move, but for the Nelson-Tasman region, it has not been easy.
Tasman District and Nelson City Councils resolved to conduct a limited review of the current Regional Pest Management Plan to expand the scope of pests included in the plan.
The expanded scope is attempting to bring the region in line with Marlborough's approach to sabella, extend control of boneseed, include several new emerging pests, and add wilding conifers to the plan like many other regions across the country have.
However, the joint committee, which was established in March to oversee the limited review of the pest management plan, passed a resolution to request that the two councils allow feral cats to also be considered as part of the review - the committee doesn't have the power to decide to add the animals into the plan itself.
Tasman District Council assented to their inclusion in June while Nelson City Council approved the move earlier in August.
Those confirmations allowed the joint committee to propose an amendment to the pest management plan that would allow the specific site-led control of feral and stray cats.
But that was not the end of the process.
The two councils are now both expected to consider the amendments over September and October before giving their approval to the joint committee that it can begin public consultation in November.
Submissions will be received before a hearing and further deliberations are expected to take place in the first quarter of 2024, then followed by final council decisions and potential appeals in a year's time.
During Tuesday's meeting of the joint committee, Nelson City councillor and deputy chair Rachel Sanson expressed her desire to minimise delays.
"Every month that goes by, we're losing more of our native species."
Joint committee chair and Tasman District councillor Celia Butler later acknowledged that the process is "very drawn-out" but explains that pest management is outlined in the national legislation and requires council oversight of the process.
"It seems like a lot of hoops, but the Biosecurity Act has to look at what is achievable and what the benefits and the costs are, and that's not just the dollar costs," she said.
"I appreciate that we do feel that time is of the essence, but we have got these steps that we need to step through."
The joint committee will meet again once the councils have approved the amendments can be consulted on to ensure the consultation document is understandable, contains the right information, and gives different options to residents to ensure a good balance of options for feral cat management but also for wilding pine management.
"We just need to get it right," Butler said. "We're not trying to push the community faster than it's ready to go."
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air