On-Stream
The floods last month caused significant damage to Otago; on the Taieri and in South Otago in particular.
ORC staff worked around the clock for over two weeks to drain the water from the flood protection schemes as fast as possible. While the schemes performed how they should, it's never nice to see farm land under water.
The recovery is going to take some time, and while this is happening we will delay our dairy inspections in flood-affected areas (see Nicole's update below for more details).
We're working alongside industry groups such as DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb and Federated Farmers, to make sure farmers have all the information they need as they clean up while also dealing with the busy lambing and calving season.
It's been heartening to see the farming community band together and help out with feed and dry land for affected stock, not to mention much-needed emotional support.
We took pictures during our aerial assessments of the floods. You can see for yourself how wet things were around Dunedin and the Taieri by clicking here.
Thank goodness it's almost spring!
Happy reading,
The ORC team
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Feature: Slink collection - what are your options?
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With calving and lambing gearing up, it's a timely reminder to make sure you dispose of any carcases responsibly if you use an offal pit on your farm.
If you are burying carcases in an offal pit, make sure you know the rules:
- Offal pits must be at least 100 meters away from any wells
- Offal pits must be at least 50 meters away from any waterways or property boundaries
- The pit must be dug in a way that there is no groundwater seepage into the pit, or leachate from the pit cannot enter any waterways
- The offal pit must not cause a nuisance and is not noxious, dangerous, offensive, or objectionable beyond the boundaries of the property
Make sure you also follow any rules or guidelines set by your meat or milk processor.
Please dispose of carcases as soon as you can to avoid biosecurity risks.
If you have any queries about carcase disposal please call one of our liaison specialists or environmental monitoring officers on 0800 474 082.
A number of companies offer a slink collection service. We've heard that some companies aren’t operating in Otago (and Southland) this year because of a market downturn in the demand for skins, and stockpiles of skins from previous seasons. Check with your usual collector for details.
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| Updates from your liaison specialists |
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Bruce Monaghan - Central Otago
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Group or individual consents when there is more than one deemed permit on a tributary - which is best?
When replacing your deemed permit with a Resource Management Act (RMA) consent, the Water Plan provides flexibility to allow you to apply either individually or as a group.
The process begins with deemed permit holders on a tributary preparing their application together as a ‘water user group’, to decide what option will work best.
ORC does not dictate how your replacement consent should be set up, although we are happy to provide guidance.
A consultant can help you decide if a group or individual approach would work best, based on their experience with other RMA consent applications.
If you apply as a group, the points of take will be registered on one consent. Water can be shared amongst takes within a tributary for both a group consent and individual consents, provided the total water taken does not exceed the combined take points.
If you have any queries please give me a call.
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Policy consultation, flood briefings, water quality projects, forestry enquiries, the Southern Dairy Hub opening, and community talks have been the key themes of my work over the past month.
I hope you are all faring alright with the weather – ORC representatives have attended many of the flood-related meetings across the region, but if you have concerns feel free to get in contact.
There are some changes with regard to dairy inspections this coming season.
Firstly, with the recent floods and associated pragmatic ORC approach to compliance in affected areas, the commencement of dairy inspections will be actively communicated.
Secondly, it should be noted that as per the Annual Plan, dairy inspections will be conducted on a risk-based approach, meaning some dairy farmers may not see us this season and some may see us more than once. You'll be hearing from us over the next few weeks about what this means for your property.
I spent last week attending seven of the 10 consultation sessions that were held to clarify why were are developing the residual flow plan change. It has been great to see a good turnout around the region, with some high-quality feedback at the facilitated sessions. You have until the end of August to get your feedback in. See the link in the In Brief section below for more details.
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Its been a busy time over the last couple of weeks, with numerous folk putting things back in order after the rain event at the end of last month, as well as the start of calving and lambing for many.
I have had a few enquiries by phone and at the DairyNZ flood meetings in Milton and Balclutha about sorting out culverts down this way that have been impacted by the high flows.
If this is you, then subject to some criteria it is a permitted activity to clear debris or alluvium from around the structure and to repair it. If you need information around the criteria you will need to meet, let me know and I can run you through it.
I have also been out and about inspecting some Clutha flood banks after the high flows. While they are looking pretty good, it is worth noting that if you have a flood bank or drain on your place that's part of the flood drainage network, please be aware of the Flood Management Bylaw and the provisions in it to protect the network.
If you need any information on this check out our website or give me a call.
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Shhhh…I don’t want to frighten it away, but spring is nearly here. We may be a little bit battered and bruised but, on the whole, North Otago seems to have endured winter fairly well (just don’t look too closely at local roads!). Green shoots are poking up, spuds are being mounded, calves are bawling, and there are plenty of lambs wobbling around.
In time for spring, NOSLaM has appointed Robert McTague as coordinator to assist North Otago landowners in their efforts to maintain and improve water quality. While Rob is no spring chicken (sorry Rob – couldn’t resist!), he is very easy going, switched on, and I’m looking forward to working with him.
Rob is an internationally-recognised, award-winning business coach of 16 years, and has worked across a broad range of industries. If you're in North Otago, I encourage you to make contact with Rob to discuss any aspect of your land use operation relating to water quality, including any questions or comments you may have. Rob can be contacted at noslamoffice@gmail.com or by phone on (021) 194 9597.
Speaking of NOSLaM and Rob, there will be a meeting at the Five Forks Hall on Thursday 7 September for all landowners in the Kakanui River catchment (both upper and lower). This meeting will provide an introduction to the NOSLaM project - including how it can help you and how you can be involved.
For those in the Waihemo community, ORC will be holding a meeting shortly to explain what we’re up to with our science project focussed on the Shag River. More on this soon.
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Whitebait season - yum!
Whitebait stands are permitted on the Clutha River/Mata-Au or its branches, but need resource consent everywhere else in Otago. Please be aware that ORC will not get involved with any issues about using someone else's stand as this is a civil matter. Click here for more. |
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Sediment mitigation
Winter feeding might be almost over, but there's still a risk of rain and now is the time to be extra careful because there is a lot of exposed soil. Please note that sediment rules also apply to forestry.
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Residual Flows
Over 100 people joined us for meetings around Otago this month to clarify matters about residual flows in our rivers. If you didn’t get to a meeting you can still share your views. Click here to find out more. |
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What's coming up?
- NOSLaM meeting for all landowners in the Kakanui River catchment (both upper and lower)
Thursday 7 September, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Five Forks Hall (need the time please James)
- Residual flow submissions - 31 August 2017
You have until the end of the month to let us know your views. Click here to find out more. |
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| If you missed the winter issue of ORC's newsletter 'Waterlines' you can check it out here: http://bit.ly/2tUMXUO. |
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