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Welcome to the April 2020 edition of On-Stream

We hope you are safe and well in your bubbles as we head into the transition to Alert Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions. This edition of On-Stream includes some links you may find helpful, as well as an update on proposed water plan changes, and a message from ORC's rural liaison team.

Here at ORC, the move to Alert Level 3 next week means more of our staff will be out around the region doing fieldwork (observing all distancing rules to keep themselves and the public safe), while the majority of staff continue to work from home. Find out more about our services at the current alert level here. 
 
Useful links
This is a very challenging time for many people, particularly the farming community, so below are some links put together by the Ministry for Primary Industries that you might find helpful: Some useful industry sites: 
Water Permits Plan Change (Plan Change 7)
This proposed plan change provides a framework to manage the replacement of deemed permits (historic water rights given to gold miners that expire in 2021) as well as any other expiring water permits. Short-term resource consents to take and use Otago freshwater will be issued based on current use, while a new Land and Water Regional Plan is developed. There is also a rule for activities that do not have five years of data, or that do not meet the plan criteria for a short-term consent. ORC submissions are open for this plan change until 4 May, and then due to the plan being recently "called in", it will be re-notified by the Environment Protection Authority. All submissions will then be considered together. Find out more and make a submission via ORC here.
Update on Water Quality Plan Changes (formerly "Omnibus")
These plan changes, which consist of proposed changes to the Water Plan and to the Waste Plan, were also called in by Minister Parker, at the Council's request. We are waiting to hear from the Environment Protection Authority about when these plan changes will be notified and will keep you updated. Until the proposed plan is notified, the existing Water Plan rules still apply.
Plan change 6AA
At this week's council meeting, councillors voted to make Plan Change 6AA operative on 16 May, 2020. This plan change proposed extending the deadline for when certain rules in the Regional Plan: Water come into effect, after they were deemed unworkable. No appeals were received following the Hearing Commissioner's recommendation that ORC approve and adopt the plan change as notified, without amendment. This means that the rules won't come into effect until 2026, by which time a new Land and Water Regional Plan will supersede the current water plan rules. 
Update from the Rural Liaison Team 

Working differently, but still working with you!
What a month it's been. We have all become very familiar with our home offices! Although we can't get out onto your farms with you, we're still here for any enquiries, feedback or anything else we can help you with by email or phone (0800 474 082). If you can possibly email us any maps or photographs related to your enquiry that would help with the context. Our hours are a bit inconsistent currently, as, like many of you, we juggle the lockdown balance of work and family, but we'll get back to you as soon as we can. 

Webinars
Both Beef and Lamb NZ and DairyNZ have held webinars while we've been in Level 4 lockdown. Make sure you check out the webinar events pages on their websites for an easy (and safe) way to stay up-to-date. There's one coming up on 30 April that looks interesting. Even if you can’t make the webinar time, it's worth registering as they're often recorded and available to view at a more convenient time.

Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards
Unfortunately, the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards evening could not go ahead as planned in March, but there is some good news: the Otago winners will be announced on 6 May at a digital showcase, so tune in here and show your support.

Please stay safe and warm in your bubble and fingers crossed things will return to normal soon.

Rebecca, Bruce, Nicole and Jason
ORC Rural Liaison Team
 
 
 
 
Burn off
Fire and Emergency NZ have requested that no non-essential burning is undertaken until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. This is to protect the health and wellbeing of firefighters and their families who have to leave their bubbles to attend a fire or false alarm, increasing their risk of exposure to the virus. 
Pest control
Farmers can continue pest control that's essential to the operation of their farms under lockdown. Hunters will be able to hunt on private land with special restrictions when New Zealand moves to COVID-19 Alert Level 3, but not on public conservation land. Hunters must have the landholder’s permission and stick to the rules. Hunting is only permitted on foot and overnight trips are not allowed. The use of quad bikes, off-road bikes, helicopters and other motorised vehicles is prohibited.
NZ's Freshwater Report
Otago’s Manuherekia River features as a case study in the latest Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ report on the state of New Zealand’s freshwater, which was released on 16 April. The report outlines the most pressing issues for our waterways and how the choices we make impact on them.
 
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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