On-Stream
While it's been a great summer for camping, it hasn't been so great if you rely on water for your farm or business.
It's still pretty dry out there and we know many of you are feeling the pinch. Over summer we've been working closely with external stakeholder and industry groups, and been doing additional monitoring out in the field to check on river levels.
If you're part of a water scheme and are running low on stock drinking water, you have two options:
1. Give stock access to waterways
2. Pump water from the waterway
There are conditions on both of these, so make sure you're up with the play on the rules by giving one of our liaison specialists a call.
You can also have a look at our website for information on water management during low flows.
Happy reading,
The ORC team
|
|
|
Feature: Southern Field Days
|
|
|
Did you get your taste of wallaby 'poo' at Southern Field Days? ORC had a stand for the first time, and we gave away some tasty treats (scorched almonds), much to people's initial horror, then amusement.
We chatted with a lot of people who shared their wallaby stories both past and present, and we reminded people they need to report wallaby sightings to us within two days so we can keep a handle on them spreading further in Otago.
It was great to see a number of familiar faces and to meet new people, and we loved chatting about water takes, irrigation queries, catchment groups, and whatever else people raised with us.
Thanks to everyone who came to say hi - we'll definitely be back in 2020 at the next Southern Field Days.
 |
|
| Updates from your liaison specialists |
|
|
Bruce Monaghan - Central Otago
|
|
|
In the last issue of On-Stream I mentioned ORC was looking at providing flow data for the tributaries where your deemed permits are located.
This facility is now live on the Fish and Flow portal. Simply click on the Request Flow Data link, which will take to you an online form where you can list the water takes and the tributaries you are seeking data for.
The prime information provided is the mean annual low flow (MALF), but you can also request the mean annual flow.
Data may be generated from either actual flow sites or from modelled data, which is based on characteristics of the catchment. Where available or necessary, ORC may also be able to provide synthetic flows, which are modelled on nearby recorded flow data from other catchments.
Note: Flow data can be provided for both deemed permits or RMA resource consents.
|
|
|
It was nice to meet some new people at Southern Field Days last week and to put a face to some familiar names. I hope by now you have worked out that the wallaby poo giveaway was not something for your garden but some necessary calories to carry you through your day (i.e. scorched almonds).
I had a number of enquiries from people who came to chat with us, and I look forward to following up on these over the next couple of weeks.
Water (and this season's shortage) continues to be a hot topic and it's great to see people asking questions before just taking. Keep it up! And please don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions around how to manage during dry weather.
|
|
|
I moved to Otago five years ago and love living in what I feel is one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets.
After working as a landscape architect for several years, I decided to broaden my skills by studying a Master of Science in Environmental Management, with a specific focus on the establishment of wetlands on farms.
I am really excited to put my skills into practice with my new role at the ORC. I have had a great time learning the ropes and getting into the swing of things, and being at Southern Field Days threw me in the deep end in a good way.
As you all know, things have been pretty tough recently with the dry weather. I attended the drought meetings recently at Balclutha and Tapanui, which included some very informative talks. One farmer noted you could have heard a pin drop during one of the talks because it was so interesting.
It's been great to meet people in the community at meetings and Southern Field Days, and I look forward to meeting more of you in the coming year.
|
|
|
The North Otago Sustainable Land Management Society (NOSLaM) held its AGM last week. AGMs can be pretty dry affairs at times, but I came away from this one buoyed and encouraged by the motivation and commitment expressed by all those who attended.
I’m looking forward to being involved in this years’ activities, which includes a series of on-the-ground pod group meetings to discuss practical solutions to help improve water quality.
ORC is continuing its campaign on raising awareness about the threat of wallabies in Otago (you may have seen us at the Southern Field Days in Waimumu). We have had a really positive response from the community and a lot of useful information has been passed to us that we have been able to follow up.
Please remember - if you see a wallaby or wallaby sign anywhere in the Otago Region, or if you hear of one being seen or shot, please let us know within two days (see In Brief for how to get in touch with us). We do NOT want these little critters in Otago!
I encourage anyone and everyone to jump on board with a local catchment group – it is the way of the future and a great way to learn and share the load of understanding your environment. If you wish to know more about any of the above projects or discuss anything ORC-related, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
|
|
|
|
|
Your chance to win!
Complete our online survey by 24 February about where you went swimming over summer, and go into the draw for some great prizes. This information will help inform our ongoing monitoring of swimming sites around Otago.
|
|
|
Where are the wallabies?
We've launched an online form for reporting wallaby sightings around Otago so we can stop this pest spreading. Make sure you let us know within two days if you see any. You can also call us on 0800 474 082. |
|
|
Dairy inspections and M.bovis
Dairy inspections are well underway and we want to reassure you we're following a decontamination protocol for M Bovis. All our vehicles have a decontamination kit and staff are following a comprehensive procedure, which includes contacting the landowner before entering any property for a dairy inspection. Give our environmental monitoring officers a call on 0800 474 082 if you have any queries.
|
|
|
What's coming up?
For a full list of events click here.
February
- 28 February. Help us identify restoration projects for Tomahawk Lagoon.
12.30 - 2.30 pm & 3.60 - 8.30 pm (two session times)
Grants Braes Football Club, 1 Domain Ave, Ocean Grove, Dunedin
March
- 21 March, Committee meeting
The agendas and associated reports will be available on the ORC website 48 hours before the meeting. Members of the public are welcome to attend. |
|
|
| The summer issue of ORC's newsletter 'Waterlines' is out now. You can read it here. |
|
| If you know someone who should subscribe to On-Stream, forward this email to them and suggest they email us at water@orc.govt.nz to subscribe. |
|
| Make sure you like the Otago Regional Council Facebook page - click the Facebook link below. |
|
|
|
