Kia ora, welcome to the June 2021 edition of On-Stream

This month we have a new winter grazing good practice video to share, a chance to make a submission on ORC's new proposed Regional Policy Statement, information about Otago's climate change risk assessment, a reminder that water metering records are due soon, as well as updates from Enviroschools and our rural liaison team.
Good practice for winter grazing

Watch this video about good practice for winter grazing made in conjunction with Telford Campus of the Southern Institute of Technology.

Check out these other useful winter grazing good practice resources too:

  • The NZ Association of Resource Management winter grazing web page
  • This video from Hawke's Bay Regional Council
Otago's Proposed Regional Policy Statement have your say

Otago’s new proposed Regional Policy Statement (RPS) was notified on 26 June. The RPS document sets the direction for future management of Otago's natural and physical resources. It outlines what we want for Otago, what’s stopping us achieving this, and how we will solve those problems.

Tell us what you think about the proposed RPS by making a submission at www.orc.govt.nz/RPS before 3pm on 3 September. 

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, including changes to water metering requirements introduced in 2020, click here

Have your say: Otago Climate Change Risk Assessment

Climate affects much of what we do in Otago, from horticulture in Central Otago to land drainage in Clutha delta. Climate change therefore does not function separately to the work that we do; it is a key consideration in all that we do. We want Otago's communities to be aware of climate change and will work with them to adapt to its effects on our region. 

To better understand the impacts of climate change on our region, we conducted the Otago Climate Change Risk Assessment. The full report was published in March this year, and can be found here

If you would like to leave us a comment or a question about the risk assessment, you can have your say here.  

Enviroschools news
Alexandra Primary School students recently cleaned up the rubbish at this local drain and weeded around their plantings. This long-term project in collaboration with Contact Energy aims to look after the health of this human-made waterway, as it terminates in the Manuherekia River.
Mauri mahi, mauri ora (through work, we prosper)
Update from the Rural Liaison Team

Everywhere you look there is a focus on getting winter grazing right this season. It has been awesome for the Rural Liaison Team to see first-hand the extra efforts of landowners from the winter flyover late last month and to see new faces at recent catchment group field days.
 
You may be aware of the Pastoral 21 research programme at Telford that was undertaken a few years ago that rural professionals regularly reference (read the full report here). What you may not know is that there is currently a new trial being undertaken on the impact of sheep grazing on winter forage crops in Otago. The research is entering year two of a three-year trial led by Craig Simpson from NZ Landcare Trust and sponsored by ORC, other councils and industry groups.

The goal is to understand the impacts of winter sheep grazing management using a farm in Waitahuna, and the research is focusing on measuring changes in soil physical properties like macroporisty (soil cavities) and contaminant run off. We look forward to seeing the results in the near future.

In the meantime, let us know by emailing us at rural@orc.govt.nz if you need any help with your winter grazing plans for this year.

 
 
 
In brief
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. Click here for forms and general information about deemed permits.
 
Air pollution complaints up 50% 
Complaints about outdoor burning causing offensive or objectionable air pollution for neighbouring properties have increased over the last 12 months. Read some tips on how to choose the best days to undertake burn off here.
 
Pest of the month: Wallabies
Wallabies have the potential to cause massive damage to our biodiversity and economy if they’re left to get out of control. If you see a wallaby report it to us by calling 0800 474 082 or fill in the form on our website here.  
 


What's coming up?

June 30: Last date to submit resource consent applications to replace deemed permits if you want to keep taking water.

July 31: Water metering records are due.

September 3: Last day to make a submission on Otago's proposed Regional Policy Statement.


Find out about Otago Regional Council meetings here.
 
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