A group called Smart Growth was formed out a plan for the region for the next 20 years plus.
Read more from Federated Farmers here.
In my opinion the group is having to deal with the poor infrastructure planning that has hampered the region.
They're involved with roading, housing, the labour force, local infrastructure, future land uses, water allocation and storm water discharge.
They're not really thinking ahead, because the issues of now are so big, even though their reason for existence is future growth.
Shouldn't the people tasked with sorting out the current infrastructure issues be the councils and the Government we all pay taxes to?
Who doesn't enjoy another working group doing tasks they weren't created to do?
We're also worried about Mycoplasma bovis and what will happen if it arrives in our region.
Our hearts go out to the farmers and communities in other parts of the country that have had to deal with it.
In the wake of watching the fallout farmers in the Bay have been reviewing biosecurity and farm management practices because of the disease.
We are grateful for the progress made on M.bovis and what this all means for any future disease outbreak the region or country may face.
Early in the New Year our policy team will be involved in the region's plan changes.
Plan Change 9 will be going through an appeals process which has the potential to affect farmers if changes within it are adopted.
Plan Change 13, the Regional Air Quality Plan's main point that affects farmers is around the ability to dispose of rubbish.
The Regional Pest Management Plan needs to be implemented where there is maximum impact on the pest.
In Opotiki there is the possibility up to 80 per cent of this district could become a Significant Natural Area which will have huge impact.
I really hope you all enjoy the break if you get the opportunity to take one because 2019 looks to be incredibly busy at best and character building at worst.
