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Welcome to the February 2020 edition of On-Stream

It’s been a wild start to 2020 and our hearts go out to all those affected by the recent flooding; it can be a very stressful and uncertain time. We’ve set up a web page with information that might be helpful: www.orc.govt.nz/floodresponsefeb2020

In this issue you’ll find a summary of the upcoming Water Plan changes, what’s happening with the Regional Policy Statement and a catch-up from our fabulous Rural Liaison team. Happy reading.
 
Water Plan changes - what is the big picture?
As you’re aware, a review by the Minister for the Environment found issues with our current water plan so we’re making some short-term fixes while we develop a new fit-for-purpose Regional Policy Statement and Land and Water Regional Plan.

Postponement of date for rules controlling discharges and nitrogen leaching
ORC proposed a plan change (6AA) to postpone the date when certain rules controlling discharge contaminant concentration and rules on nitrogen leaching come into force, from 1 April 2020 to 1 April 2026. The council released its decision on Saturday 8 February 2020, which was to adopt Plan Change 6AA to the Regional Plan: Water for Otago as notified without amendment. The appeal period has now begun. Read more.

Water permits plan change
This proposed plan change aims to provide short-term, relatively low-cost resource consents to replace expiring deemed permits (historical mining water rights) while ORC’s new Land and Water Regional Plan is developed. Applicants would have access to a consent term of no more than seven years, with allocation based on actual water use from 2012-2017. ORC will notify the proposed plan change in mid-March, and people then have 20 days to make a submission. Look out for notification in newspapers and on our website. 

Proposed new water quality rules
ORC is proposing a group of changes and additions called the Water Quality Plan Change, (formerly known as the “Omnibus Plan Change”) to strengthen and align water quality regulations to meet central government expectations and policy. It will be comprised of Proposed Plan Change 8 (Discharge Management) to the Regional Plan: Water for Otago and Proposed Plan Change 1 (Dust suppressants and landfills) to the Regional Plan: Waste for Otago. We're aiming to notify this plan change in late March or early April, after which anyone can make a submission for up to 20 working days. 

NEWS UPDATE
ORC to request Ministerial ‘call in’ of upcoming plan changes. Read more.

Find out more about what a call-in is and why ORC has decided to do this. 
Thank you for having your say!
A big thank you to everyone who had their say on the future of Otago’s natural and physical resources through our Regional Policy Statement (RPS) survey. We had a great response and your answers will help guide the development of a new Regional Policy Statement for Otago.

Next steps
ORC will use the information from the survey to refine a set of key resource management issues for Otago. ORC councillors and staff will then tour around Otago during March to meet with communities to discuss these issues in more detail.

6.30-8pm, 17 March in Oamaru, Brydone Kingsgate Hotel
6.30-8pm, 18 March in Dunedin, Auditorium, Dunedin Public Art Gallery
1-2.30pm, 19 March in Tapanui, Tapanui Community Centre
6.30-8pm, 19 March in Balclutha, Balclutha Memorial Hall
6.30-8pm, 24 March in Queenstown, Anglican Parish of Wakatipu Hall
6.30-8pm, 25 March in Alexandra, Alexandra Memorial Hall

We want to know what you want for Otago, what's stopping us achieving this, and how we'll solve those problems. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and your local newspaper for venues closer to the time.
 
Updates from your Rural Liaison Team 
Rebecca Begg – Team Leader and South/West Otago

rural@orc.govt.nz
027 232 0735

Welcome to the first On-stream for 2020. Its been a crazy start to the month for South and West Otago with significant impacts for many farmers from the recent flood event. There's a bit to do in the clean up, but there are permitted activity rules for flood works after this kind of event. You can find more information in our Working in waterways factsheet. 

If you have culverts or crossings that need attention after being washed out, the section that covers bed disturbances for the maintenance of structures will apply. Just make sure you meet the criteria in order for it to be permitted.

Also note that any work done after 1 May until September requires DOC and Fish & Game to be contacted so it would be best to do this sooner rather than later if you can. Many ask me about this condition, and it is due to fish spawning.

If you have any questions on Otago's permitted activity rules regarding fixing flood damage around your waterways, please give me a ring. For other assistance or someone to talk to please call the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 or Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646. 
 
And really briefly, there is a lot happening in Otago around support for catchment groups, including discussions here at ORC. We will be talking more with our catchment groups so now is a good time to connect with your local catchment group or to start talking to the neighbours about setting up your own.
 
Bruce Monaghan – Central Otago

rural@orc.govt.nz
027 480 7944
 

State of the Environment (SOE) water quality results
 
As river flows begin to settle down after recent rain, now is a good time to begin or restart water quality testing on your property over the late summer/autumn period. Before you start, it’s a good idea to get some background about the water quality for your area.
 
What do the water quality reports show?

  • The results are a summary of data collected at monthly intervals over a five-year period. These are taken at the bottom of the catchment(s), when the reference flow sites for your area is at or below the median flow.
  • The summary data compares data with the Water Plan limits for 5 specific parameters:  
    • Nitrogen
    • Phosphorous
    • Ammonium
    • E. coli
    • Turbidity

You can see the ‘real time’ flow and what it is showing in relation to the median flow (i.e when the flow is at or above or below median) here.
 
Nicole Foote – Strath Taieri & Central Coast Otago

rural@orc.govt.nz
027 564 7788

It was great to see some familiar faces and some new ones at this year’s Southern Field days. We had a busy three days, which is usually a good sign of success!

ORC had our new riparian plant guides on site. We have five guides, depending on your location, that contain a list of suitable native riparian plants for your area. If you are interested in getting your hands on a guide please let me know (make sure you include your address and the broad location of where you are wanting to plant) and I can send one out to you.

You can also check them out on our website under 'Helpful Information' here.

I can appreciate that for some businesses down south it has been a tough month. I do genuinely hope that you are beginning to dry out, get some grass growing and are starting to return to “normal”.
 
Jason Evered – North Otago
rural@orc.govt.nz
0272983460
After nearly 12 years in New Zealand, I still struggle with the weather here. One day I sat in baking hot, 30+ degree temperatures, the next flooding and evacuations in South Otago. My thoughts are with all those faced with a clean-up and challenges the flooding has left behind.
 
Along with Irrigation New Zealand, I spent a morning at the offices of Iris Data Science. The main purpose was discussing Irrigation New Zealand’s website and options for displaying water quality information. We were also given a short presentation on Sheep Facial Recognition - who would have thought every sheep is that different?

Apparently similar technology is used around the world for cattle and pigs. The reason for doing this is to help easily identify animals moving around the country (eliminating costly ear tags) and help track down stolen animals. Ewe (dad joke!) can find out more here.
 
Final thought, our next ECO Fund round opens on the 1st of March. Have you got a project that could use some funding? Check out more details here.
 
 
 
 
Beef & Lamb NZ open farm day
Beef & Lamb NZ are encouraging farmers to open up their gates to the urban community on Sunday 1 March 2020 as a part of the Open Farms movement.If you're interested in taking part have a read of their article. More details
Pest of the Month
Lagarosiphon is February's Pest of the Month! It was once sold as a pretty decoration for aquariums or ponds but now it wreaks havoc on our beautiful lakes and rivers. Find out more by visiting our Pest Hub. More details
 


What's coming up?


3 March: Farmers Forum 2020 Southland – Farming the Future with Confidence. More details.
12 March: Beyond the Green Revolution - Public Lecture. More details.
13 - 14 March: ORC will be at the Wanaka Show so come and have a chat with our team.
17 - 25 March: RPS community meetings around Otago.
25 March - 5 April - Smart Wintering Events around Otago and Southland. More details.
 
Feel free to forward this email to anyone who might like to read it. If you have been forwarded this email and would like to subscribe, please email us at water@orc.govt.nz.
 
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