Kia ora, welcome to the May 2021 edition of On-Stream
We have a bumper edition this month, with an invitation to have your say on the Manuherekia River catchment, the latest water quality results for Otago lakes and rivers, guidance for looking after bore heads, an update from students near Lake Dunstan, advice on recycling winter feed wrap, and some thank yous and reminders – in particular that applications for resource consents to replace deemed permits need to be lodged with us by the end of next month.
|
|
|
Do you love the Manuherekia River? Have your say on how it will be managed in the future.
|
|
|
 |
|
You’ve told us you want a healthy river you can swim, kayak and fish in, collect mahika kai from and that provides a reliable water source for your crops or business. To achieve the things you value, we’ve developed a range of water flow management scenarios for the Manuherekia River catchment. We’d like to hear what you think of them and which one you prefer.
Tell us in person:
- Alexandra Memorial Hall, Skird St, on Thursday, 27 May anytime from 1pm to 8pm. There will be staff presentations at 2pm and 7pm.
- Omakau Hall on Friday, 28 May anytime from 1pm to 6pm. There will be a staff presentation at 4pm.
Or read more about the background of the project and have your say online before 18 June at yoursay.orc.govt.nz/ManuherekiaScenarios
|
|
|
Water quality results from around Otago
|
|
|
 |
|
Last month, ORC released a state of the environment report on river and lake water quality in the region.
The study reports on water quality on a site-by-site basis, relative to nationwide targets specified in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. It also assesses water quality trends at each site where there is sufficient data, and across Otago as a whole.
The report considers 10 water quality variables and indicators at over 120 monitoring sites in Otago: 110 river sites, and 22 sites and depths at nine lakes.
Find out more and read the report here to see where water quality has improved or degraded throughout Otago over the last 20 years.
|
|
|
How to protect your groundwater bore head
|
|
|
 |
|
We have prepared a best practice guide about the construction, maintenance and decommission of bores. If you have a private supply of water, we recommend you take a read of this easy-to-follow brochure.
|
|
|
Enviroschools update – Junior Guardians of Lake Dunstan
|
|
|
 |
|
Students at Cromwell Primary school undertook a major investigation of their local waterways last year, which has led to a group of students forming the Junior Guardians of Lake Dunstan to work alongside the "senior" Guardians of Lake Dunstan. They are going to adopt a section of the lake and want to remove lakeweed and create a play area. One idea is to have a shed to put the driftwood that comes down the river so children can use it to build forts, tents, and artworks on the bank. Once they get up and running, they will encourage other schools to adopt an area of the lake.
|
|
|
Mauri mahi, mauri ora (through work, we prosper)
|
|
|
|
Update from the Rural Liaison Team
|
|
|
As we enter the winter feed season it's time to re-assess your on-farm recycling of baleage and silage wrap, and the recycling of other plastic consumables.
Recycling your plastic wrap:
- reduces air pollution and smoke nuisance because you don't need to burn it
- optimises space in your farm landfill, and
- means it can be recycled into new products
This winter, pick up your baleage wrap when it is still clean(ish!) and store it for pick up. This will also ensure the wrap is not blown around and won't get tangled in fencing or vegetation, or buried in the soil. For details on recycling wrap and silage covers check out Plasback Recycling. For recycling plastic consumables go to Agrecovery to find your nearest container collection site. Sustainable resource use and recycling is an important component of your farm plan, so record your wrap and plastic container recycling actions.
An update to our piece last month on the draft advisory winter grazing template: MPI have released the intensive winter grazing module template to be used for Winter 2022 – read it here. If you intend to winter crop on your property, we encourage you to get familiar with this template prior to preparing next winter's crop paddocks. If you have any questions or need any help, please get in touch with us on rural@orc.govt.nz
You'll see below that we'll be out and about with the compliance team on winter flyovers this year. If you're not sure that you are ready for winter grazing, Federated Farmers have a handy check list which you can download from this webpage.
|
|
|
|
|
Deemed permits
A reminder to anyone who has a deemed permit (a historic water use right), that you need to lodge a resource consent application with us before 30 June 2021 if you want to continue taking water. Please contact our team on 0800 474 082 or customerservices@orc.govt.nz if you have any questions or need any help with your application. |
|
|
Pest of the month: Ragwort
Ragwort is a real threat to rural properties. It’s toxic to cattle, deer and horses and can dominate pasture almost completely, pushing out grass and other vegetation. Find out more on our Pest Hub |
|
|
Head of Lake Wakatipu
Thanks to everyone in Glenorchy who came to hear Professor Brasington talk about the Dart and Rees Rivers, how they are changing, and will continue to change. The next day, members of the community dropped-in to learn what could happen to the environment at the head of Lake Wakatipu area in the future, and what our adaptation options might look like. |
|
|
Tomahawk Lagoon
Thanks also to those that dropped in or went to our web page to tell us which water quality projects you thought should be prioritised in the Tomahawk Lagoon area. You've given us a strong indication of priorities and we enjoyed hearing stories about the lagoon in the past. Read more about the next steps here. |
|
|
Winter flyovers
Our compliance team will be heading out across Otago over the next few months to do winter flyovers, so you may see fixed-wing aircraft in your area. The rural liaison team will be joining them this year to have a look at things from a good management practice point of view. Keep an eye out for more information on our website soon. |
|
|
Winter flyovers
The Otago Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) has been drafted and is open for consultation. This is about the future of public transport, so if you want better/more public transport in your area submit your feedback by 12pm, Monday 24 May. |
|
|
What's coming up?
May 27: Manuherekia Rohe water flow management consultation in Alexandra May 28: Manuherekia Rohe water flow management consultation in Omakau June 30: Last date to submit resource consent applications to replace deemed permits if you want to keep taking water. Find out about Otago Regional Council meetings here. |
|
|
Feel free to forward this email to anyone who might like to read it.
If you have been forwarded this email, you can sign up here.
|
|
|
|
