Acting General Manager Environmental Delivery, Simon Wilson says “This is a difficult time for many people in Otago, including farmers, who may be unable to maintain their usual farm practices due to power outages. We recognise this is an emergency situation and that some farmers may need to make the difficult call to dump milk.”

With power outages ongoing, so long as farmers follow the rules regarding effluent storage and discharge, Otago Regional Council does not have compliance concerns if farmers need to discharge milk to their effluent storage facility or to land, he says.

“It is important that farmers let us know when they need to do this so we can follow up later. Farmers also need to be careful that discharges of milk don’t get into drains or waterways as this is a serious issue.”

Any farmers with a full or near full effluent pond and needing to irrigate wet soil should choose paddocks that will not cause runoff into tile drains or waterways.

Otago Regional Council has staff working through the long weekend and we’re available to give advice.

“If the storm has caused any issues that may affect your compliance, please get in touch and self-notify so we can work together to find practical solutions.”

ORC has postponed all proactive dairy farm inspections until 3 November 2025 and will reassess this early next week.

• Otago Regional Council’s compliance team can be reached on 0800 800 033 or pollution@orc.govt.nz.
• Farmers who require support are encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.

• Stay up to date with Civil Defence information from Clutha District Council at www.cluthadc.govt.nz, or listen to the following radio stations for updates:

Radio New Zealand

More FM 92.9 FM or 93.7 FM

Hokonui

West Otago 95.2 FM

South Otago 91.3 FM or 88.3 FM