Welcome to the December 2019 edition of On-Stream
It's hard to believe we're nearly at the end of 2019! It's been a busy year for everyone involved in water here at ORC and for many others living near or working with water around Otago. Below is information on important water plan changes that are coming up early in 2020, an update on the Arrow and Cardrona consultations, as well as a round-up of news from your area and more! We wish you and your families a very happy Christmas. Due to the holidays, there won't be a January edition of On-Stream so we'll be in touch again in February.
|
|
|
Water Permits Plan Change
Thanks to everyone who took part in our recent survey with ideas and comments on the potential content of the proposed Water Permits Plan Change recommended by Minister for the Environment David Parker. The next step for this plan change will be a council meeting on 7 January at 10am, which will include a public forum for any members of the public who wish to speak to the council on possible content of a bespoke Water Permits Plan Change. Find out more and how to register here. |
|
|
|
Update on the Arrow and Cardrona water plan consultation
Thanks again for telling us what you value or love about the Arrow and Cardrona rivers and their aquifers earlier this year.
We wanted to give you an update on what’s happening next with the development of a planning framework to manage the rivers and their aquifers.
|
|
|
|
Omnibus plan change update
ORC is also working on the upcoming “omnibus” plan change, which will include proposed amendments to the current effluent discharge rule. Good effluent management is important for achieving improved environmental outcomes and can also help improve management and efficiencies on farm. If adopted by ORC, this rule is likely to include requirements for minimum storage of effluent, pond construction and effluent application to land.
Other topics that are likely to be covered by this plan change include:
- Sediment run-off from new subdivisions or developments
- Discharge of waste oil on roads
- Requiring/facilitating good management practices
- Clear discharge policy framework (urban and rural)
- Definition of "regionally important infrastructure"
We will be notifying this plan change on 31 March 2020 and members of the public will be able to make submissions on the proposed plan change.
|
|
|
| Updates from your Rural Liaison Team |
|
|
Welcome to the last On-Stream for this year. I have been out and about a bit, but particularly wanted to acknowledge the awesome South and West Otago farmers who presented at the Farmers Forum at the Ag@Otago Symposium at the start of December. No doubt it was a fairly daunting experience presenting to a couple of hundred people in a lecture theatre, but the regenerative farming approach and examples that were being discussed caused many to challenge their thinking on more traditional methods that are used. There were some great presentations throughout the symposium covering everything from farming systems, greenhouse gas emissions, GMO, soil microbiomes to marketing our products overseas, food wastage and social licence to farm.
A theme that continued to pop up for me was that overseas markets are looking for a product that is as clean and green as the New Zealand image, and while the regulation that is on our horizon might be for environmental reasons, much of the impetus for this is about meeting the expectations of our customers.
Finally, it's not often that you hear two different presenters promoting the same great read, but Gabe Brown's book Dirt to Soil got a couple of plugs as did Doug Avery's book, The Resilient Farmer. So if you are looking for last-minute Christmas gifts there might be some ideas here!
Just a reminder that any of the Rural Liaison Team are available to talk if you have any questions about the ECO Fund, or to discuss how your application is shaping up. The next funding round is in March 2020.
|
|
|
Stream health
You may have heard the term "MCI index" for measuring stream health, but what is it and how hard is it to do?
Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) is a measure of a waterway's water quality and ecosystem health. The presence or absence of macroinvertebrates such as insects, worms or snails, is a biological indicator for the health of a river or stream. It complements chemical water testing (for nitrogen, phosphorus, E. coli and sediment) but should not be considered a substitute. MCI testing gives instant results as there are no delays in feedback. The mix of invertebrates remains relatively stable compared to chemical testing, but shows gradual changes in water quality over time.
How do you do the test?
MCI testing is very simple and straightforward, and should be done once or twice a year to coincide with low flows in the summer and autumn.
- Choose the right site: you need to be careful that the bed where the sample is taken from is gravelly and not soft-bottomed. Within a particular waterway you'll need to identify a top, middle and bottom site and to take all three samples on the same day.
- Stand upstream with a robust net.
- Shuffle about and dislodge some of the gravelly material within the bed, then scoop up the resultant sample.
- Remember to shuffle about in a consistent manner for a consistent time and use the same dislodging technique each time: not too gentle or too vigorous.
- Remember to shuffle about in a defined area, just upstream of the net.
- Place your sample in a tray. A white tray is the best colour for viewing and make sure it's a good size (approximately 30-20 cm works well).
Examining the sample
With the aid of an identification chart, make a list of what you can see. This might include mayflies, stoneflies and caddis (which are good signs as these are sensitive to poor water quality) through to snails and worms (these are warning signs as they are more tolerant of poor water quality). It's important to focus on the presence of species rather than the quantity, although quantity is still important. Once you have sorted your sample, return the water and invertebrates back to the waterway.
|
|
|
Have you got some “pretty” plants with yellow flowers currently on your property? Are they commonly referred to as gorse and broom? Are you after long-term, low-cost solutions for them? If so, read on. The future use off glyphosate products was highlighted at the New Zealand Agriculture 2050 – Pathway of Innovation symposium earlier this month, especially in relation to its presence in the food chain and consumer preferences. But what are the non-chemical alternatives? INSECTS!
A staggering 10% of the world's flora has already been introduced to New Zealand and, of these, a proportion go on to become weeds and to have a significant impact on NZ's economy and native flora. This is where biocontrol agents have a part to play: they use one living organism to control another, most frequently an insect or fungi to control a plant. This is not instant control, nor does it mean the complete elimination of the weed, but it can result in smaller, weaker plants that are less likely to spread.
In Otago, we have several biocontrol agents already established for various weed plant species including gorse and broom, for example the broom gall mite and the gorse seed weevil. It's likely that you have several agents already infesting gorse and broom on your property (and other weedy species too) as most of the agents targeting these species are becoming widespread in Otago. The ORC biosecurity team has been actively releasing broom gall mite in areas where it has not already been established and would like to continue its distribution.
Click here to find out more about available biocontrol agents or speak to an ORC biosecurity environmental officer about options for your property.
|
|
What a start to December – the rain in the headwaters certainly lifted the big rivers. At ORC our team has done what it could to keep everyone updated and safe, especially around the Clutha River. I’m sure you're aware, but for those in and around the Lower Waitaki, always keep an eye on the Environment Canterbury website during flooding.
There's lots happening in the early part of 2020. We will have two plan changes: the Water Permits Plan Change and the Omnibus Plan Change. We should also hear more about the new proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and what it means for us in North Otago. As soon as I know, I will pass on the details through NOSLaM, Waitaki Irrigation Company and here in On-Stream.
As we approach the Christmas period, just a reminder that the ORC offices close down and I will be away from Christmas Eve until Monday 6th January 2020. So, to you and your family, merry Christmas and happy new year. |
|
|
|
|
Pest Hub
Now that we’ve finalised our new Regional Pest Management Plan for Otago, we’ve launched the new Pest Hub. This has information on all of the pests in our plan with information like why it's a pest, what are the rules, and how you can control it. |
|
|
Can I swim here?
It’s summer! Other than slip, slop, slap and wrap, remember to check out the water quality at Otago’s popular swimming spots. ORC monitors swimming spots around Otago from now until the end of March to make sure they’re safe for swimming. Read more |
|
|
Christmas closing
Our offices will be closed from Christmas Day until Monday 6 January 2020. For any emergencies or to report pollution incidents, phone 0800 800 033. For Orbus enquiries, phone 0800 672 8736 (Dunedin) or 0800 672 8778 (Queenstown). |
|
|
What's coming up?
7 January: Council Meeting with public forum for public who wish to speak on possible content of a bespoke Water Permits Plan Change. Read more
|
|
|
Feel free to forward this email to anyone who might like to read it. If you have been forwarded this email and would like to subscribe, please email us at water@orc.govt.nz.
|
|
|
|
