A joined-up approach to catchment groups in Otago
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Rural Otago’s update
White background
Spring 2020
What's inside?
Lake Dunstan Update on EPA Everyday water heroes
notified plan
A joined-up approach to catchment
groups in Otago
Catchment groups new and old will soon have more organisational and administrative support, which
means more time for their members to do great things for Otago waterways.
Catchment group leaders in Otago are Group made up of staff and councillors, “This initiative will support engaged
establishing an umbrella organisation to catchment group representatives and a landowners to achieve environmental
support existing catchment groups and regional coordinator from NZ Landcare outcomes specific to their area.
help new ones get off the ground. Trust.
“Providing coordination and
The initiative will provide organisational The Advisory Group’s goal is to create administrative support, along with
support for catchment groups and and support an Otago-wide network of information sharing and connecting with
volunteers, help groups secure catchment groups that are addressing all stakeholders, will allow landowners
funding, provide administration and water quality and waterway health, now to concentrate on achieving on-the-
communication support, and facilitate and for generations to come. ground outcomes.
access to experts, information and
Using the money, ORC is helping the “Lyndon Strang from North Otago
technology.
catchment groups to establish an Sustainable Land Management (NOSLaM)
Over time, it will also look to establish incorporated society. The incorporated is the establishment chairperson
long-term funding pipelines to support society will employ a fulltime regional and there is representation across
changing needs, and act as a conduit coordinator and contract more localised all of Otago. It’s exciting to see the
between government, regional coordinators as required to support development of a working relationship
authorities, and local stakeholders. catchment groups across Otago. between landowners and the ORC in
recent years culminating in this support
The Otago Regional Council (ORC) put Pomahaka farmer Lloyd McCall, a long-
of a catchment group network,” Mr
$200,000 aside in this year’s budget standing member of the Pomahaka
McCall said.
to support catchment groups, and Water Care Group and one of the main
convened a Catchment Support Advisory organisers behind the collaboration, said
that it was on a really exciting trajectory. Continued on page 3
the knowledge and skills we have across policies, the deadline has moved to
staff and governance. next year and we’re having additional
conversations with communities about
The big news of the moment is the
their freshwater visions right now (see
new set of regulations from the
page 11 for details).
government, collectively known as the
Essential Freshwater package, which Long-term planning is an opportunity
have been in force since 3 September. to take stock of where we’re at, and
Included in the regulations are new where we want ORC to be headed. A
National Environmental Standards for Long-term Plan is a ten-year plan that
Welcome to the spring edition Freshwater, which are basically rules we redo every three years. That might
of the Otago Regional Council’s that apply right across the country, sound odd, but it means we are always
rural magazine, Waterlines. regardless of regional plans. Some of keeping an eye on the future, making
these take immediate effect, and others sure that our priorities and values for the
It’s fair to say 2020 has been an have a bit of lead-in time for people to region align with our work programmes
interesting sort of year so far for the comply. and spending, and having regular
ORC. Like the rest of New Zealand, we’ve conversations with Otago communities
There’s a lot to unpack and implement
faced a bit of disruption from Covid-19, to make sure we’re on-track with
in these regulations—both for you in
which has impacted how we consult their expectations. Look out for your
the community, and for ORC. We know
with the community, changed the way opportunity next year to place feedback
how important it is that people are
many of our staff work and caused us on the Long-term Plan for 2021-31.
aware of and understand the rules,
to re-evaluate our funding to avoid a and we’re taking an education-first In the meantime, we’ll keep doing our
general rates increase for Otago. approach to implementation. Head over best to roll with the Covid punches, to
Besides the pandemic and lockdown, to our website for information about keep you informed and up to date about
we’ve also been busy with urgent work in what the new rules might mean for you. changes affecting you, and to work
the water policy area, getting our heads collaboratively on implementing new
We recently signed off on sixteen new
around the new requirements of national rules for the good of our environment.
staff in our Consents team to manage
water regulations and planning for the the requirements of the new rules. He waka eke noa –
next ten years through our Long-term These new team members will be We’re all in this together.
Plan. recruited over the coming months and
In July, Councillors voted for change distributed around the region, including
around the governance table, and I took in North and South Otago. Andrew Noone
up the role as Chair. I’m keen to get the Chair, Otago Regional Council
Staff have been hard at work on our new
Council working constructively on the Regional Policy Statement. This was on
same page, and to take full advantage of track for notification this year, but due
to an additional requirement introduced
by the new Essential Freshwater
2
Catchment group support
Otago Regional Councillor Bryan Scott
said that catchment groups come in
many shapes and sizes and already do a
lot of great work on the ground.
“Ideally, this strategic support will
assist them on their respective journeys,
particularly those that are evolving or
endeavouring to get to the next level.
“One of the many great things about
catchment groups is that regardless of
current politics or policies, people of
all backgrounds can simply roll up their
sleeves and work together to achieve
positive things for their waterways and
environment.
“The Otago Regional Council is
absolutely thrilled to support this
initiative," Cr Scott said.
The Waitahuna/Tuapeka Catchment Group during a stream health monitoring
The umbrella organisation will now work
session with NZ Landcare Trust.
to establish itself as a legal entity and
recruit for roles to support catchment
groups to improve water quality
throughout Otago.
LAKE
WANAKA
What are catchments
and catchment groups? WAI
WANAKA
A catchment is a bounded area
of land where surface and sub-
surface water flows into streams,
rivers and wetlands. Land use LINDIS
practices across a catchment—
good and bad—can impact the
quality of freshwater in those
waterways. LAKE THOMSONS
NOSLAM
HAYES CREEK
Catchment groups are local
communities of people working
together to understand and
UPPER
improve water quality within a COAL TAIERI EAST
catchment. Catchment groups CREEK OTAGO
pursue opportunities to enhance
water quality and resolve water
quality issues, and they involve
diverse membership from the
people living in a catchment area.
Catchment groups undertake WAITAHUNA
POMAHAKA
a range of activities to improve
TOKOMAIRIRO
the natural environment, such
as monitoring water quality, LAKE TUAKITOTO
WAIWERA
fencing waterways, riparian
planting, protecting native plants, LOWER CLUTHA
managing pests, and more.
OWAKA Catchment group coverage
Crucially, catchment groups share in Otago. Map drawn from
knowledge and develop integrated information provided by
plans for collaborative approaches NZ Landcare Trust.
to good environmental practice.
3
Implementing Essential Freshwater
New rules to protect and enhance New Zealand’s waterways are now in place—and they may affect you.
On 5 August, the government gazetted new national direction on freshwater management, signing a suite
of regulations into law.
The package includes a new National region’s farmers, and prioritising the
Policy Statement for Freshwater most urgent work,” Cr Noone said. Rules for Intensive
Management, new National Winter Grazing
Environmental Standards for Freshwater, Education First
Under the new rules, farmers will
new stock exclusion regulations Regulatory General Manager Richard
require a consent for intensive
under section 360 of the Resource Saunders said that compliance with
winter grazing activities where the
Management Act, and an amendment previous rules in Otago was good, but
activity does not comply with the
to the Resource Management work was required to get up to speed
permitted activity criteria.
(Measurement and Reporting of Water with the new regulations.
Takes) Regulations 2010. However, if you carried out winter
“We saw good results from our annual
grazing this year, and you’re not
ORC has to give effect to the National winter compliance flights in July, with
planning any changes to the scale,
Policy Statement for Freshwater a lot of positive changes clearly visible
scope or intensity of your wintering,
Management through our regional plans from the air in how farmers were
then you may have “existing use
and our Regional Policy Statement. The managing winter grazing and other land
rights” and not require consent for
National Environmental Standards are use practices. Out of the hundreds of
winter 2021.
effectively nationwide rules, which apply properties we flew over, there were nine
across the country regardless of regional that needed following up on the ground. Even if you have existing use rights,
plans. you may need to apply for a consent
“But the new National Environmental
under the new rules by 31 October
The new regulations have had effect Standards will tighten the restrictions,
2021 for the 2022 season. We
since 3 September, however, while some especially around winter grazing, in
encourage farmers to engage with
parts need to be addressed immediately, future.”
ORC early to discuss their individual
others have a period of time built in for
Richard said ORC was taking an requirements.
people to comply.
“education-first” approach to helping
Our advice for farmers is to follow
ORC Chair Andrew Noone said the people implement the changes.
good management practices in
council welcomed the Essential
“These rules will impact a lot of Otago the planning and delivery of your
Freshwater regulatory reform package.
farmers, and they impact ORC as the 2021 winter grazing. If you are
“This package from the government has consenting authority. We’re keen to proposing to graze a greater area
been a long time in the works, and there work alongside farmers, organisations than in 2020, then you should
is a lot of great intent around restoring and catchment groups to help interpret contact Council to discuss whether
and protecting the health of New and understand the rules, and to give a resource consent will be required.
Zealand waterways. practical advice for complying with
More information about the new
them.
“The challenge for ORC and the rules is available online at
community now will be in how we “A lot of people are already on a www.orc.govt.nz/newwaterrules,
implement the new requirements good trajectory with improving their or you can call 0800 474 082
to ensure they have the desired environmental practices, and we want to or email
environmental benefits. We’re looking make sure that’s able to continue under customerservices@orc.govt.nz.
closely at what’s required of us and our the new rules,” Richard said.
4
New National and Regional
Update on EPA-notified plans
Freshwater Rules
2024 2026
As well as the changes being Water Plan and Plan Change 1 to the intensive grazing and stock exclusion
1 MAY 2021 3 SEPT 2022 3 SEPT 2024 3 SEPT 2026
introduced at a national level, Waste Plan, which strengthen water sections, because our rules largely
Intensive winter Water measuring Water measuring Water measuring
quality provisions. align with the requirements of the
ORC is making
grazing standards 1 JAN 2022 some plan
changes apply for changes apply for changes apply
takes over 20lt/sec takes 10lt/sec to National Environmental Standards for
for takes 5lt/sec
changesRegional
of ourstock
own to protect In September, the EPA published a to 10lt/sec
20lt/sec
Freshwater. Rather than duplicating the
exclusion rules
and restore Summary of Submissions and called
apply freshwater in urban national rules, with slightly different
for further submissions, which is a
and rural environments. process where anyone can lodge a
regional complexities, we have asked the
2022 Environment Court to consider removing
further submission, either supporting or
The
1 JULY 2021Environmental Authority (EPA) 1opposing
JULY 2023 someone else’s1 submission,
JULY 2025 them from our plan change to make
notified the than
Water Permits and Water All stock must be things clearer.
Stockholding (other provided
Stock they have a genuine
exclusion interest.
Quality
feedlots) Planapply
standards Changes on 6 July, after regulations apply for excluded from natural
dairy cattle and pigs, and wetlands on low slope Our submission also suggested that
they were “called in” by the Minister for With further submissions
intensively-grazed beef ornow
thoseclosed,
supporting
Synthetic nitrogen the Water Plan includes an advice
ly
the Environment.
standards and information the plan
cattle changes
and deer not in awill be threatened
referred tospecies
requirements new pastoral system note directing people to the National
ply the Environment Court in the coming
The “Water Permits Plan Change” is Environmental Standards for Freshwater
Plan Change 7 to the Water Plan, which
months.
All Anyone
stock must
excluded from
be who indicated New
theycattle,National
Dairy support
cattle and deer on low
beef and
and national Regional
regulations for rules related
s
provides a planning framework to
wish to identified
wetlands
ahearings
attend the
regional plan
in Environment
slope mustCourt
fromchanges
for any of the plan
Freshwater
be excluded
lakes and wide
will rivers
to intensive Rules
grazing and stock exclusion.
replace expiring deemed permits and be contacted about the next steps. 2024
resource consents.
2023
Among the submitters2025
on2021
1 MAY Plan Change 3 SEPT 2022 3 SEPT 2024
w The “Water Quality Plan Changes”, or 8 was ORC itself. WeIntensive
submitted
winter on the Water measuring Water measurin
“Omnibus”, are Plan Change 8 to the 6 JULYplan
grazing standards
2020 changes to request the removal of1 JAN 2022
changes apply for changes apply
New National and Regional
Regional stock
takes over 20lt/sec takes 10lt/sec t
20lt/sec
Regional Rules Freshwater Rules exclusion
New regional
rules apply*
apply
rules
2024 2026
National Rules 2020 2021 2022
1 MAY 2021 3 SEPT 2022 3 SEPT 2024 3 SEPT 2026
opment
3 SEPT 2020 1 JULY 2021 1 JULY 2023
Intensive winter Water measuring Water measuring Water measuring
grazing standards Temporary changes apply(other
Stockholding for than changes apply for changes apply
6 JULY 2020 1 JANagriculture
2022 Stock exclusion
intensification takes overstandards
feedlots) 20lt/sec apply takes 10lt/sec to for takesapply
regulations 5lt/sec
for
standards applystock
Regional 20lt/sec to 10lt/sec
dairy cattle and pigs, and
New regional
exclusion rules intensively-grazed beef
rules apply* Feedlot standards apply Synthetic nitrogen
cattle and deer not in a
apply standards and information
requirements new pastoral system
Wetland standards apply
2020 2021 2022 All stock must be
River reclamation excluded from
standards apply
3 SEPT 2020 1 JULY 2021 1 JULY 2023 1 JULY 2025 wetlands identified in
a regional plan
Temporary agriculture StockholdingFish passage
(other than standards Stock exclusion All stock must be
intensification and information
feedlots) standards apply regulations apply for excluded from natural
standards apply requirements apply dairy cattle and pigs, and wetlands on low slope
Synthetic nitrogen intensively-grazed beef or those 2023
supporting 20
Feedlot standards apply Stock exclusion cattle and deer not in a threatened species
standards and information
regulations apply to new
requirements new pastoral system
Wetland standards apply pastoral systems
All stock must be Dairy support cattle, beef
River reclamation excluded from cattle and deer on low
standards apply
*New regional rules cover: wetlands identified in slope must be excluded
Fish passage standards
Regional
a regionalRules
plan from lakes and wide rivers
and information ● Waste storage
requirements apply Intensive grazing
National Rules
●
● Animal waste discharges 2023 2025
Stock exclusion ● Earthworks for residential development
regulations apply to new ● Dust suppressants
pastoral systems
*New regional rules cover:
Regional Rules
● Waste storage
Intensive grazing
National Rules
●
● Animal waste discharges
● Earthworks for residential development
● Dust suppressants
5
“Soil Your Undies” and
other ways to get your hands dirty
This creatively named project is all about measuring the health of Otago soils.
Clockwise from top: Fresh undies made by Macraes Moonlight School students, ready to be buried; Students at Five Forks School prepare to bury
their undies; Teachers learning about soil health during a professional development day.
School students participating in the NOSLaM Engagement Officer Bridget The students are also getting first-hand
Soil Your Undies citizen science project McNally said it was great to get students experience working with dung beetles
are learning all about soil, like how it’s interested in soil health from a young through this project. Dung beetles are
formed and how to assess the different age. described as “Eco-system engineers”,
components of soil. Old undies are one as they deal with dung, improving soil
“Soil Your Undies is a fun, engaging and health and water quality in the process.
of the tools they are using to measure
hands-on way for students, teachers
soil health—perhaps not one of the The aim of the project is to get people
and the community to learn about the
scientific methods you remember excited about soil, map local soil health
importance of healthy soils. We’re
learning about at school. and explore strategies for improving
here to spread knowledge of good land
The project is a collaboration between management practices—and those soil health. A community event is
NOSLaM (North Otago Sustainable Land seeds need to be planted at a young being planned for November, where
Management), Enviroschools, Beef and age.” the students will be able to share the
Lamb, AgResearch, the University of findings of their research with the wider
Creepy crawlies community.
Otago and six schools in the North Otago
area, with support from the East Otago Earthworms are another soil health Learn more about dung beetles online:
Catchment Group, Fonterra Farm Source indicator for the students to examine. dungbeetles.co.nz
and the Foundation of Arable Resource.
The teachers involved in the project Soil Your Undies
The role of the undies is simple: students recently had a full day of professional Otago is funded by
buried the (clean) undies in their school development on soil health, which the Participatory
grounds and at home over a few weeks in involved getting their hands into the soil Science Platform and
September; when they’re dug up, they’ll and trying out the activities they can do ORC’s ECO Fund.
be able to tell us a bit about the soil. with students to get them excited about
soil. www.curiousminds.nz/funding/
The undies will be uncovered in early participatory-science-platform/
November, and by measuring how much They discovered that identifying worms
they’ve degraded, students will be able was a tricky task—even with help from www.orc.govt.nz/ecofund
to tell how healthy the soil is: the worse the experts on hand.
the state of the undies, the healthier the
soil.
6
ECO Fund Profile: Waste Free Wanda
Singing, dancing, acting, TikToks... Waste Free Wanda does it all, while working for a waste free world.
ORC have had the pleasure of supporting Plastic Free Wanaka to bring the Waste Free Wanda show to
schools around Otago this year through our ECO Fund.
This one-woman musical is written and of the planet, and right now we need to page and YouTube channel by searching
performed by award-winning singer/ figure out what we can do.” “Waste Free Wanda”, or dance along
songwriter Anna van Riel, who aims to with her on TikTok @Wastefreewanda.
Anna has recently completed the Central
empower children to work towards a You can also find her music on Spotify for
Otago leg of her tour, inspiring hundreds
waste-free world with her 80s-inspired the kids to jam along at home.
of kids to take action and leaving them
character, Wanda.
with important messages in the form of
With a huge focus on reducing and catchy earworms.
reusing, instead of counting on just About the ECO Fund
With the Central Otago and Waitaki
recycling, Wanda’s songs tackle issues
legs now under her belt, Anna aims to To find out more about the
like single-use plastics, and provide
complete the Clutha leg in Term 1 2021, projects we’ve supported
kids with the knowledge and strategies
rounding off a full Otago regional tour. through the ECO Fund, or how
to reduce waste and protect our
environment. The Waste Free Wanda show is special you can apply, visit our website
because it emphasises getting as many at www.orc.govt.nz/ecofund.
“The show has proven to be really
schools on board as possible, no matter Our October round has just
effective with tamariki, due to having
where or how big they are. closed, so applications will be
catchy pop tunes that serve as learning
resources. It’s a really different and “I love touring through the small schools. open again from 1-20 March
empowering approach to educating,” So often our wee schools miss out; I 2021. Get in touch with our team
Anna said. think it’s really important to reach them before making an application by
too,” Anna said. emailing ecofund@orc.govt.nz
“It shows kids what we can do and how or calling 0800 474 082.
they can be superheroes in their own If you want to see Waste Free Wanda in
back yard—because it’s really easy to action, you can check out her Facebook
get overwhelmed by the current state
7
Lake Dunstan - there’s a new Harbourmaster in town
The Harbourmaster's vessel, Kaitiaki, on the water at Lake Dunstan.
This summer, ORC’s Harbourmaster team will be on the water at Lake
Dunstan to keep an eye on recreational boating, after the maritime
safety delegation was transferred back to ORC from the Central
Otago District Council (CODC).
ORC was responsible for safety on the Safer boating this summer
lake until 2006, when it was delegated
Steve and his deputy, Pete Dryden,
to CODC. Last year, the process began
have been putting an implementation
to reverse the delegation, and as of
plan into action ahead of the upcoming
1 September, it sits with ORC once again.
summer recreation season.
ORC Harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook is
“We’ve spent a fair bit of time on the
looking forward to spending more time in
lake, getting familiar with the area and
Central this summer.
the locals. We’ve got an implementation
“We’ll be getting out on the lake to plan that includes changes to signage,
patrol, talk to boaties and other people upgrading navigation safety buoys
enjoying the lake, and make sure and marks, building awareness in the
everyone’s got a good understanding community of the rules, and kicking off
of the rules and they’re enjoying monitoring and enforcement activities on
themselves safely.” the water,” Steve said.
As part of the transfer of delegation, Steve and Pete will be participating in
ORC’s navigational safety bylaw has been Maritime New Zealand’s “No Excuses”
updated and merged with the former campaign over the summer, to check
CODC navigational bylaw to cover Lake that boaties are following life jacket rules
Dunstan. That means some changes to and the safer boating code.
the rules, but Steve said there would be
“The key messages of the safer boating
no surprises for Lake Dunstan’s regular
code are to wear your lifejacket, take two
water users.
waterproof ways to call for help, check
“This will give more consistency across the marine weather forecast, avoid
our region and with our neighbouring alcohol and be a responsible skipper.
regional councils. We’ll be getting out on random days Deputy Harbourmaster Pete Dryden putting
during summer to monitor compliance new signage in place.
“Another benefit of the transfer will be a
with the rules, and to generally educate
greater level of service for Lake Dunstan
boaties about the safer boating code,”
water users, as the ORC Harbourmasters
Steve said.
will provide year-round harbourmaster
expertise for the lake, and be available The updated Otago Navigational Safety
on-call 24/7.” Bylaw can be viewed on our website, at
www.orc.govt.nz/NavBylaws
8
Pest of the Month: Rooks
Every spring, ORC’s biosecurity team undertakes inspections to make sure there
are no established rook populations in Otago.
Large “parliaments” (the name for a Here are a few tips on how to spot rooks, and what to do if you do spot them:
flock of rooks) can inflict thousands of
• Rooks are easiest to identify around winter and spring, because they’re all
dollars’ worth of damage to Otago's
together in rookeries for springtime breeding or communal winter roosts.
grain and new grass crops. Rooks love
to eat fields of cereals at all stages of • Rooks are a part of the corvid family, which includes crows. We don’t have
growth, as well as other seeds that have crows in New Zealand though, so if you see something that looks like a crow, it’s
recently been sown. probably a rook.
Thankfully, Otago hasn’t seen evidence • Rooks are very social, so you can often hear their distinctive “caw” when they’re
of an established rook population for flying.
quite some time. But they’re a highly
If you think you have rooks on your property, DO NOT try to control them yourself
mobile pest, and we can’t count our
—it’s against the rules in our pest plan, unless you have been instructed by our
eggs just yet!
biosecurity team.
That’s why our best asset to ensure
Instead, give ORC a call on 0800 474 082 or email pests@orc.govt.nz
rooks don’t establish themselves in
Otago is the thousands of eyes and ears
already on the ground in the community.
Pest Hub
Each month, we highlight a timely “Pest of the Month”. To kick off spring we took a look at rooks, and now we’re highlighting
nodding thistle. If you’re interested in finding out more about rooks, nodding thistle, or any other pests in Otago, check out
our Pest Hub at www.orc.govt.nz/pesthub
9
Everyday water heroes – Sam and Liz Barton
Sam and Liz Barton won the Sam and Liz educated themselves “If you go up the creek with the kids and
Otago Regional Council Quality about good practice for waterways by a spotlight, it is just loaded, which is
completing the Beef + Lamb NZ Land great to see and respect.”
Water Management Award at the
Environment Plan levels. Sam says his
2020 Ballance Farm Environment Sam feels that little things can make big
approach to farming has evolved.
Awards. We interviewed them to differences and they don’t have to affect
“I was always focused on stock your cash flow or your workload. He
find out their winning formula. performance and improvements, but acknowledges it can be hard to change
now it’s the bigger financial picture, habits of previous generations, but he
Sam and Liz Barton farm at Moa Flat in environmental considerations and believes “minute changes can have a
West Otago. The farm, Montana Pastoral sustainable farming. I look at it like remarkable impact on the environment.”
Ltd, is made up of 4,800 sheep and beef this: I treat my management practises
stock units. Montana’s on-farm objective “I know personally we are doing
as if I was constantly being viewed by
is to “consistently maximise profit by everything we can to protect waterways.
anyone—urban, rural or foreign; I would
sustainably producing to a very high I want things to look pretty, I want our
like them to see happy, healthy stock and
standard, while minimising any negative stock to be happy and healthy and I want
staff, clean fresh water, minimal hazards
impact on the stock, staff and the them to taste good. We give it our all
and to really portray the clean green
environment.” and we do our best and I hope people
image of NZ.”
respect that. We love our land and
Sam and Liz want to be high performing, The 2020 Ballance Farm Environment animals and people.”
but also to preserve what they have, and Award judges noted that the Bartons'
enhance it where they can. farm practices are guided by a
“We believe that by preserving natural comprehensive business plan and the
To continue reading about how
resources we will also increase our couple was commended for continually
Sam and Liz are employing
capital as demand for farms that have improving their business skills through
good practice to protect the
incorporated modern farming systems industry initiatives, self-development
environment at Montana Pastoral
and infrastructure increase,” they told and professional learning.
Ltd., visit www.orc.govt.nz/
us. By protecting waterways from sediment, everyday-water-heroes
“It’s great for our waterways, but also Sam and Liz have managed to maintain
for our stock health and wellbeing – it or improve the population of freshwater
seems to be interrelated.” crayfish in the creeks around the farm.
Farm facts:
• It’s warmer than expected due to shelter ranging from
large areas of snow tussock and gullies, to a variety of
• 553 hectares, including 42 hectares
plantations and shelter belts.
of trees and laneways
• 3,200 ewes, 880 hoggets, 100 mixed-aged cows
• High-altitude property ranging from
1,550-2,500ft • 30-40 hectares of winter brassicas
10Freshwater Visions
ORC is getting out and around the region right now to gather community input on Otago’s Freshwater Visions.
We’re working with our iwi partners and in the Essential Freshwater package) Regional Plan we have begun working on.
local communities to develop long-term means we need to consult with our We’ll use these visions to help set area-
freshwater visions and find out what communities before we notify our RPS. specific policies, limits and rules that
people want for the future of waterways That’s why we’re talking to people in all work for each area in Otago, and which
in their area, as part of the government’s of our freshwater management units and reflect community as well as central
Essential Freshwater reforms. rohe about their freshwater visions this government expectations.”
year, ahead of schedule for our Land and
The input we gather through this ORC is holding community meetings
Water Regional Plan.
consultation will form objectives in our around Otago to gather input into
new Regional Policy Statement (RPS). Gwyneth Elsum, ORC’s General Manager freshwater visions for the region’s
The RPS will set the environmental Strategy, Policy and Science said “We’re catchments, and these meetings are
management direction for the region, keen to get input from every corner of underway now.
and is scheduled for notification in June the region—the more perspectives we
See the schedule of meetings below to
next year. hear, the better.
find your nearest meeting, or you can
While we were on track to notify our “In addition to being used for the RPS, have your say online.
RPS this year, a new requirement for the community freshwater visions will
Find out more at www.orc.govt.nz/
regional policy statements (introduced also be used for the new Land and Water
OurWaterOurVision
Community meetings
Owaka Mosgiel Tapanui
27 October, 5:30-7pm, 10 November, 12:30-2pm, 18 November, 12:30-2pm
Owaka Memorial Hall Mosgiel Coronation Hall and 5:30-7pm, West Otago
Community Centre (Social Room)
Oamaru Dunedin
28 October, 12:30-2pm and 10 November, 6-7:30pm, Milton
6-7:30pm, Oamaru Opera House The Salvation Army Hall, NEV 19 November, 12:30-2pm,
Milton Coronation Hall
Palmerston Orokonui Ecosanctuary
29 October, 12:30-2pm, 11 November, 6:30-8pm, Balclutha
Palmerston Community House Orokonui Ecosanctuary 19 November, 6-7:30pm,
Cross Recreation Centre
Ranfurly Middlemarch
2 November, 12:30-2pm and 12 November, 12:30-2pm Queenstown
6-7:30pm, Ranfurly Town Hall and 6-7:30pm, 24 November, 6-7:30pm,
Middlemarch Memorial Hall St Peters Church Hall
Cromwell
3 November, 12:30-2pm, Ettrick Wanaka
Cromwell Presbyterian Centre 17 November, 5:30-7pm, 25 November, 12:30-2pm and
Ettrick Hall 6-7:30pm, Lake Wanaka Centre
Clyde
3 November, 5:30-7pm Roxburgh Arrowtown
Clyde Hall 17 November 12:30-2pm, 26 November, 12:30-2pm,
Roxburgh Memorial Hall Arrowtown Bowling Club
11Stay
informed!
Visit our dedicated water website
We know that you want to find information
about water quickly and easily, so we’ve
created a water-specific site to help you
find what you need to know faster. Check it
out at www.goodwaterinotago.nz
The website is mobile-friendly, so you can
access water info on the run. The website
Students from the Wakatipu High School Enviro group. showcases ‘Everyday Water Heroes’, so if
you know of someone in Otago who is doing
Eco-sourcing seeds great things to protect and enhance our
waterways, please let us know by emailing
and propagating plants water@orc.govt.nz
Otago Enviroschools are passionate about planting
native trees and ensuring their local ecosystems are
diverse and healthy. But, as we all know, the cost of
plants quickly adds up. Many schools eco-source their
own seeds and propagate plants so they can have the
plants they need.
The Wakatipu High School Enviro group have been
collecting seeds from local beech trees. They are going
to propagate the trees to plant out in their school
grounds and to gift to the people that support the
school as a token of their thanks.
The Queen’s High School Enviro Group have started a
new initiative called ‘Adopt a plant’. The seedlings from
a local Kowhai tree are potted up, and the Envirogroup
look after them until they are established. Other Now’s the time to get your firewood
students from the school can then adopt a plant to Buy and stack your firewood for next winter before
take home and plant in their own garden. Christmas, so that it has time to dry. Dry wood means
more heat from your fire, and less smoke in the air.
Like Otago Regional Council on Facebook for regular updates and sign up to our monthly
e-newsletter, On-Stream, by emailing water@orc.govt.nz
70 Stafford St Private Bag 1954 Dunedin 9054
Phone 03 474 0827 Freephone 0800 474 082 Pollution Hotline 0800 800 033
www.orc.govt.nz
Enquiries: info@orc.govt.nz
12You can also read
