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

Is it just us, or has 2021 gone fast? A lot has happened around freshwater this year! We've had a raft of new national rules from the government designed to protect freshwater, deemed permits expired, we've made several changes to our existing Water Plan for Otago, and started consulting with communities and stakeholder groups to develop a new one.

Wherever you are in the region we hope you are able to have a safe and happy break with family and friends. On-Stream newsletter has a month off in January, but we look forward to connecting with you again in February 2022.
Thanks to people in the Catlins

Thanks to everyone who came along to join in discussions about Catlins waterways in Owaka at the end of last month. Your input will help our policy team develop proposed limits and rules on water and landuse in the Catlins section of the new Land and Water Regional Plan we're developing. If you missed the meetings, you can still give input via a survey here until 20 December.
Tell us what you value about Dunedin waterways

Do you live in Dunedin or the coastal areas nearby? Do you have views about how local water and land resources should be managed?

We'll be consulting with communities in the Dunedin and nearby coastal areas in March 2022 and hope you'll come along to community drop-ins and meetings or tell us online what you value most about your waterways. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about dates and times soon here. 
Coastal erosion at Lower Clutha: ORC Hazards Team

A recent ORC report reveals that the coastline at Clutha River/Mata-Au mouths is moving inland at an average rate of up to four metres per year at some locations. The report models how the shoreline will be affected over the next 50 years, and has shown that it will impact ORC’s flood protection and drainage scheme in the area within 30 years. The image above shows where the projected shorelines may be in the future. 

Read the media release | Read the full report
Check water quality results before you swim

Weekly testing of water quality at Otago's favourite swimming spots this summer is underway. Before you take a swim, check the latest results and stay out of the water 48 hours after rainfall as urban and rural run-off can enter our waterways. Read more
Enviroschools: Waitaki Boys High pupils uncover creek 
Visitors to Waitaki Boys High School in Oamaru will have noticed some big differences as they drive into the school. Liam Mavor and Eli Johnson, two students now called the "creek boys", knew there was a stream buried under weeds and rubbish. They set out to restore the stream to a healthy state.

They came up with a restoration plan that RaboBank were so impressed with that they agreed to fund the first stage. Liam and Eli organised students and parents to help remove weeds and rubbish and help with the first stage of replanting. The water in the stream is already much cleaner. The pond and the wishing well were both hidden under weeds before the clean up and the creek now has water flowing through it.

Next steps include more planting and making the area more inviting for students to spend time in. Ka rawe to the students for their drive and vision making such a big difference at the school.
The pond that had been overgrown before the boys got in to clean it up. There are lots of frogs there now.
The wishing well had been completely hidden in the undergrowth before the big clean up.
Muddy creek plantings
 
 
 
In brief
Pest of the month: Spartina
Spartina forms thick grassy clumps that spread sideways from underground rhizomes (continuously growing underground stems) or by overground side shoots. It can form in estuary environments, causing a build-up of sediment, increasing the risk of flooding. Spartina can also change the habitat for wading bird species and other estuary flora and fauna. Read more
 
Help prevent air pollution
We're reminding people to buy and stack their firewood before Christmas so it has time to dry out over the summer months. This prevents air pollution as dry firewood burns hotter, making it more efficient and creating less smoke, meaning cleaner air for you and your neighbours. Read more
 
Christmas close-down
ORC offices will be closed over the Christmas break as follows:

Queenstown office:
  • Closed from 5pm on Wednesday, 22 December
  • Opens at 9am on 5 January
Dunedin office: 
  • Closed from 5pm on Thursday, 23 December
  • Opens at 9am on 5 January
Our pollution hotline (0800 800 033) remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
 
 
 
Find out about monthly Otago Regional Council meetings here.
 
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