Updated 13 November

The severe weather across Otago in late October caused widespread infrastructure damage and disruption to farming operations. This damaging storm took out power supply, brought down trees and affected fences and waterways. While power supply has been restored, there are still some important factors to be aware of.

Regulatory expectations

• Even during and after emergency events, environmental rules and good management practices still apply wherever possible.
• If compliance is temporarily not possible due to damage or safety concerns, contact ORC as soon as practicable to discuss your situation. You can email us at compliance@orc.govt.nz or call 0800 474 0827.

Stream clearing

• If you need to clear any material from a waterway that has accumulated from the storm event (excluding alluvium) to maintain its flood carrying capacity, this may be covered by Permitted Activity rule 13.5.1.2 of the RPW. 
• Please contact us if there are you have questions regarding the rules. If you have any concerns with achieving compliance, please contact us to discuss your plans.
• This rule as well as other rules that may be relevant can be found online: Regional Plan: Water for Otago | Otago Regional Council – Sustainable Freshwater Management

Stock access to waterways

• Broken or damaged fences may temporarily allow stock access to rivers or streams.
• Stock may require access to rivers for drinking water supply in circumstances until regular water supply becomes available.
• Exclude stock from rivers and streams as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
• Please plan for how stock access rivers in a way that minimises risk to instream values and downstream water supply. Contact ORC in circumstances where stock are accessing rivers and streams.

Outdoor burning

• The fire season is now open as the region has moved into recovery after this weather event. Check with Fire and Emergency New Zealand about the whether you can light a fire at www.checkitsalright.nz/can-i-light-a-fire.
• Please follow the outdoor burning rules in ORC’s Regional Air Plan.

There are likely to be a number of other environmental concerns during the clean up like managing green waste, stock around waterways and clearing debris from waterways.

Where possible please use good management and follow the regulations. Where this is not possible, please contact us. Council recognises the exceptional circumstances and will take a pragmatic, risk-based approach to compliance during recovery. Early communication helps us provide advice, record impacts, and support recovery efforts effectively.

Get advice

If you need advice about compliance, get in touch with ORC compliance staff on compliance@orc.govt.nz and 0800 474 0827.

You can get more information from:

Clutha District Council: www.cluthadc.govt.nz

Rural Support:

www.rural-support.org.nz/regions/otago