Welcome to the February 2021 edition of On-Stream
We hope you are all good, despite the COVID-19 wobble earlier this week. It was a sharp reminder how lucky we are compared to many other countries and that we need to continue to be vigilant. And to be kind.
In this edition of On-Stream we have information about community meetings in the Manuherekia, Arrow and Cardrona areas to discuss proposed ways to manage these waterways. There's also a reminder that deemed permits expire this October and what you need to do to keep taking and using water.
You can also find out where is good to swim this weekend, read our new "What is a river?" factsheet, get an update from Enviroschools, and learn about critical source areas from our Rural Liaison Team.
We'll be at the Wanaka Show in mid-March – come and chat with your elected councillors and ORC staff about managing rabbits and get an update on freshwater management.
If you know someone who might like to get this newsletter, they can sign up at www.orc.govt.nz/on-stream-newsletter.
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Manuherekia, Arrow and Cardrona meetings – save the date
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If you live near the Arrow, Cardrona or Manuherekia rivers or their tributaries and want to learn about how these waterways could be managed in the future, come along to community meetings in your area next month.
Arrow
Wednesday, 17 March 2021, 3pm-4.30pm OR 7pm-8.30pm at St John's Church, Berkshire St, Arrowtown 9302.
Cardrona
Thursday, 18 March 2021, 1pm-2.30pm OR 7-8.30pm at Lake Wanaka Centre, 89 Ardmore Street, Wanaka 9305.
Manuherekia
Tuesday 30 March 2021, 12-1.30pm OR 7-8.30 pm, venue TBC, Alexandra
Wednesday 31 March 2021,12-1.30pm OR 7-8.30pm, venue TBC, Omakau
Don’t worry if you can’t get to a meeting as there will also be information on our website nearer the time. We’ll include the links in the March issue of On-Stream.
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Historic water permits (deemed permits) are expiring soon
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If you have a deemed permit and want to keep using water, you’ll need to apply to us for a new water permit (a type of resource consent) before your old one expires. You need to apply as soon as possible but by 1 July 2021 at the very latest. That's just four months away.
If your water take involves using water from a water race, there is a two-part process to continue legally accessing the race. Apply using Form 4B for a Section 417 Certificate that must then be registered, similar to an easement, against the title of all lands involved.
Before you start your resource consent application please call us on 0800 474 082 or email deemedpermits@orc.govt.nz to let us know what you plan to apply for. We can help to make the application process easier.
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Are you going swimming this weekend?
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Every week in summer, our team sample water at popular swimming sites around Otago, testing for bacteria like E. coli and enterococci that can make people sick. The results are published on the LAWA Can I Swim Here? page.
So check where's good to swim at the LAWA website before you take a dip this summer.
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| Last year Alexandra Primary students learnt about water and drains in the urban area, where the water goes and what this means for the health of their local river. They found out that some of Alexandra’s storm water drains linked directly to the river and noticed litter (mainly plastics) was going into the school’s storm water drains. So they decided to design drain traps to stop the litter getting in. One of the dads pulled the best of each design together and used the school 3D printer to make a trap for the students to install and monitor at school. |
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Mauri mahi, mauri ora (through work, we prosper)
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Know your Critical Source Areas
Critical Source Areas (CSAs) are parts of the paddock like swales, waterway crossings and vehicle access routes where runoff accumulates and flows overland into waterways. Protecting your CSAs gives real environmental benefits, especially when establishing and grazing greenfeed crops. A well-managed CSA will keep contaminants like phosphorous and E. coli out of our waterways. The first step is knowing where CSAs are on your farm. You can then prioritise any management actions required and include them in your Farm Environment Plan. CSAs can be small and subtle or large and obvious. The degree of risk and associated mitigation, if at all, will be a reflection of your farming intensity, slope and soils. Often what is required is minor, but will be effective in the long term. It could range from a small grass buffer through to several strategic sediment traps.
If your paddock is in crop for grazing during winter, there is an increased risk of contaminants making their way to waterways via CSAs. Make sure you have a grazing plan for each paddock to ensure that it is fed out in the most effective way, and that everyone on your farm is familiar with it. A good plan will include practical, environmental and animal welfare considerations.
We can help you identify and map CSAs and find appropriate management options, and help you prepare a strategic grazing plan for your crop this winter. Please phone us on 0800 474 082 or email rural@orc.govt.nz to arrange a time.
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Pest of the month: Spartina
Spartina is a thick grass that grows in estuary environments, causing a build-up of sediment. It can increase the risk of flooding and also change the habitat for wading bird species and other estuary flora and fauna. Find out more about this pest of the month here. |
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Flood survey
Did you know that ORC has a flood alert service? Have you found it helpful? Please take this 5 minute survey to let us know. The results of this survey will be used to determine how ORC updates people on critical flood information during heavy rainfall events. |
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Otago Gets Ready
Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management has launched ‘Otago Gets Ready', a communication tool that sends Otago residents real-time localised email/text alerts during emergencies and helps people prepare to be part of a co-ordinated community response. Sign up to Gets Ready
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On-Stream survey
Thanks to everyone who took part in the On-Stream survey – your feedback has been very helpful. Most people said they read the whole newsletter, with water quality being the most popular article topic. 94% wanted it to remain monthly, and all respondents liked getting the special editions. Most had signed up to On-Stream via our website or at an ORC event. |
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What's coming up?
March:17 March 2021: Arrow River catchment community meetings. 18 March 2021: Cardrona River catchment community meetings. 30 and 31 March: Manuherekia River catchment meetings July1 July 2021: Last date to submit resource consent applications to replace deemed permits if you want to keep taking and using water. Find out about Otago Regional Council meetings here.
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