Orbus
Contact us

Tō kaunihera Your council

View page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the June issue of On-Stream

Brr it's getting cold out there! We hope the recent snow and frost hasn't caused too much havoc at your place and that the transition to COVID-19 Level 1 has been OK for you and your families. At Level 1, we have reopened our customer service points in Queenstown and at Philip Laing House in Dunedin, in addition to our Stafford St main office.

In this edition, read new Ministry for the Environment water regulations coming soon, where to find water quality info on our Good Water in Otago website, and get an update from our rural liaison team. You can also read tips for intensive winter grazing, get an update on our Annual Plan for 2020-21 and find out how to have your say on our Long-term Plan for 2021-31.

Correction to the May edition of On-Stream: Anna and Ben Gillespie, who won the Otago Supreme Award at this year's Ballance Environmental Awards, are from Omakau, not Galloway. 
 
Ministry for the Environment water reforms
New rules to stop the degradation of NZ waterways and improve water quality within five years were launched by the Ministry for the Environment on 28 May. Read the Action for Healthy Waterways package here and what it means for Otago and different groups such as iwi, dairy farmers, beef and lamb farmers, horticulturalists and other groups here. 
Intensive winter grazing
To help protect waterways from sediment and nutrient runoff this winter, a reminder to farmers that on sloped paddocks, it's best to fence across the slope and start grazing from the top so the standing crop or vegetation can act as a filter. Read more good practice guidelines here.

If anyone sees bad winter grazing practice, they can contact the newly-formed Otago Southland province winter grazing intervention group by calling 0800 327 646 or by filling out an online form. An appropriate industry representative will follow this up and provide mitigation advice.

If you see waterways being polluted, please call our pollution hotline on 0800 800 033 – it's open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Water quality information
We received helpful feedback about our Good Water In Otago website, asking for more water quality information, so we have added a new "water quality data" section in each rohe or Freshwater Management Unit with helpful links. Check it out for your area here. 
Enviroschools update
Clyde Primary School students recently marked ten years of planting at the Clyde end of the Clyde-Alexandra Millenium Track by the Clutha Mata-au. Enviroschool's Regional Coordinator Robyn Zink said, "The planting provides a fantastic legacy for Clyde and all the walkers and cyclists that pass this way."
 
Update from the Rural Liaison Team 

Are you new to farming in Otago and in need of a brief overview of the land management expectations in the region?

As this graphic from TV One News shows, 1,000 farming households have moved around the country, and we know there will be some new faces in Otago. We would love to talk you through dairying in Otago. Jump on the website, flick us an email or give us a call on 0800 474 082 – we're here to help you.



After a lovely mild autumn the winter frosts are starting to bite. It won't be long before things start to get a bit wet and all the good planning pre-winter will catch up with you. Now is also the time to start planning for once the mouths are off the crop. Under the new Action for Healthy Waterways regulations (see above), cover/catch crops will be required to be planted within a month of grazing.

A cover/catch crop is one that helps to maintain soil structure and reduces sediment loss to waterways. This crop also helps to catch some of the nitrogen that would otherwise escape through the soil profile. To learn more, watch this presentation by Plant and Food and Ballance Agri-Nutrients researchers.
 
Rebecca, Bruce and Nicole
ORC Rural Liaison Team
 
 
 
 
Water metering records due soon
Do you have a water consent? Your water metering records are due on 31 July. If you’re not sure how to get the right information, or want to know more about water metering, click here.
Regional Policy Statement
Thanks to everyone who expressed an interest in being part of our Regional Policy Statement reference groups. We had a great response from the community, and members for each group have now been selected. Find out more. 
Have your say on ORC's Long-term Plan
What do you want Otago to be like in ten years? Help us set the right vision for our region, because when we know what you want us to achieve for our environment, we can plan better to make it happen. Tell us what you think before 5pm on 6 July here or call us on 0800 474 082.
Annual Plan
Thank you for your feedback on the proposed Annual Plan 2020-21. We’ve been able to make some of the requested changes, and, due to the impact of COVID-19, we’re funding our full work programme slightly differently this year. Council adopted the Annual Plan at our 24 June council meeting – keep an eye out for it on our website. In the meantime, read the media release here.
 
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.
 
Keep up-to-date by liking the Otago Regional Council Facebook page and find all the water info you need at our dedicated Good Water in Otago website: 
Otago Regional Council
ORC Website
Copyright © 2019, Otago Regional Council

Our email address is:
water@orc.govt.nz

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

24/7 Pollution Hotline

0800 800 033

Call us Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

0800 474 082

Navigate
Useful resources
New Zealand Government
Privacy and Terms & Conditions All rights reserved 2026