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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 conversations with Otago communities ORC. Like the rest of , we’ve There’s a lot to unpack and implement to make sure we’re on-track with faced a bit of disruption from Covid-19, in these regulations—both for you in their expectations. Look out for your which has impacted how we consult the community, and for ORC. We know opportunity next year to place feedback with the community, changed the way how important it is that people are on the Long-term Plan for 2021-31. many of our staff work and caused us 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 collaboratively on implementing new the water policy area, getting our heads We recently signed off on sixteen new rules for the good of our environment. around the new requirements of national 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 Chair, Otago Regional Council up the role as Chair. I’m keen to get the 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 umbrella organisation will now work The /Tuapeka Catchment Group during a stream health monitoring 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 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. NOSLAM LAKE THOMSONS HAYES Catchment groups are local CREEK 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 a range of activities to improve POMAHAKA the natural environment, such TOKOMAIRIRO as monitoring water quality, 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 [email protected]. closely at what’s required of us and our the new rules,” Richard said.

4 New National and Regional UpdateFreshwater on RulesEPA-notified plans 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 grazing standards quality provisions.changes apply for changes applyalign with the requirements of the ORC is making1 JAN 2022 some planchanges apply for 6 JULY 2020 takes over 20lt/sec takes 10lt/sec to for takes 5lt/secNational Environmental Standards for In September,20lt/sec the EPA published a to 10lt/sec New regional changesRegional of our stock own to protect Freshwater. Rather than duplicating the exclusion rules Summary of Submissions and called rules apply* and restore freshwater in urban national rules, with slightly different apply for further submissions, which is a regional complexities, we have asked the and rural environments. process where anyone can lodge a 2020 2021 2022 Environment Court to consider removing further submission, either supporting or them from our plan change to make 3 SEPT 2020 1 JULYThe 2021 Environmental Authority (EPA) 1opposing JULY 2023 someone else’s1 submission,JULY 2025 things clearer. Temporary agriculture Stockholdingnotified (other the thanWater Permits and Water Stockprovided exclusion they have a genuineAll stock interest. must be intensification feedlots)Quality standards Plan apply Changes on 6 July, after regulations apply for excluded from natural standards apply dairy cattle and pigs, and wetlands on low slope Our submission also suggested that they were “called in” by the Minister for intensively-grazedWith further submissions beef or now those closed, supporting Feedlot standards apply Synthetic nitrogen the Water Plan includes an advice standardsthe Environment. and information cattlethe plan and deer changes not in a will be threatenedreferred tospecies new pastoral system note directing people to the National Wetland standards apply requirements the Environment Court in the coming Environmental Standards for Freshwater The “Water Permits Plan Change” is Allmonths. stock must Anyone be who indicatedDairy support they cattle, beef River reclamation Plan Change 7 to the Water Plan, which excluded from cattle andNew deer on lowNational and national and regulations Regional for rules related standards apply wetlandswish to identifiedattend the in Environmentslope must Court be excluded provides a planning framework to a regional plan from lakes and wideFreshwater riversto intensive grazing Rules and stock exclusion. Fish passage standards hearings for any of the plan changes will and information replace expiring deemed permits and be contacted about the next steps. 2024 2026 requirements apply resource consents. 2023Among the submitters1 MAY2025 on 2021 Plan Change 3 SEPT 2022 3 SEPT 2024 3 SEPT 2026 Stock exclusion The “Water Quality Plan Changes”, or regulations apply to new 8 was ORC itself. WeIntensive submitted winter on the Water measuring Water measuring Water measuring pastoral systems grazing standards changes apply for changes apply “Omnibus”, are Plan Change 8 to the 1 JAN 2022 changes apply for 6 JULYplan 2020 changes to request the removal of takes over 20lt/sec takes 10lt/sec to for takes 5lt/sec New National and Regional 20lt/sec to 10lt/sec New regional Regional stock *New regional rules cover: rules apply*Freshwater Rules exclusion rules Regional Rules apply ● Waste storage 2024 2026 ● Intensive grazing National Rules 2020 2021 2022 ● Animal waste discharges 1 MAY 2021 3 SEPT 2022 3 SEPT 2024 3 SEPT 2026 ● Earthworks for residential development 3 SEPT 2020 1 JULY 2021 1 JULY 2023 1 JULY 2025 ● Dust suppressants Intensive winter Water measuring Water measuring Water measuring grazing standards changes apply for changes apply for changes apply 6 JULY 2020 Temporary1 JAN agriculture2022 Stockholding (other than Stock exclusion All stock must be intensification takesfeedlots) over standards 20lt/sec apply takes 10lt/sec to regulationsfor takes apply 5lt/sec for excluded from natural 20lt/sec to 10lt/sec New regional standardsRegional apply stock dairy cattle and pigs, and wetlands on low slope exclusion rules intensively-grazed beef or those supporting rules apply* Feedlot standards apply Synthetic nitrogen apply standards and information cattle and deer not in a threatened species new pastoral system Wetland standards apply requirements 2020 2021 2022 All stock must be Dairy support cattle, beef River reclamation excluded from cattle and deer on low standards apply 3 SEPT 2020 1 JULY 2021 1 JULY 2023 1 JULY 2025 wetlands identified in slope must be excluded a regional plan from lakes and wide rivers Temporary agriculture StockholdingFish (other passage than standards Stock exclusion All stock must be intensification feedlots) standardsand information apply regulations apply for excluded from natural standards apply requirements apply dairy cattle and pigs, and wetlands on low slope intensively-grazed beef or those 2023supporting 2025 Feedlot standards apply Synthetic nitrogenStock exclusion standards and information cattle and deer not in a threatened species regulations apply to new new pastoral system Wetland standards apply requirementspastoral 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 a regional plan from lakes and wide rivers Fish passage standards Regional Rules 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 of the tools they are using to measure health and water quality in the process. hands-on way for students, teachers soil health—perhaps not one of the and the community to learn about the The aim of the project is to get people scientific methods you remember importance of healthy soils. We’re excited about soil, map local soil health learning about at school. here to spread knowledge of good land and explore strategies for improving 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 Otago and six schools in the North Otago community. 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 With the and Waitaki About the ECO Fund recycling, Wanda’s songs tackle issues legs now under her belt, Anna aims to like single-use plastics, and provide To find out more about the complete the Clutha leg in Term 1 2021, kids with the knowledge and strategies projects we’ve supported rounding off a full Otago regional tour. to reduce waste and protect our through the ECO Fund, or how 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 effective with tamariki, due to having Our October round has just where or how big they are. catchy pop tunes that serve as learning closed, so applications will be 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 [email protected] “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 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 [email protected] 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 Water Management Award at the completing the Beef + Lamb NZ Land great to see and respect.” Environment Plan levels. Sam says his Sam feels that little things can make big 2020 Ballance Farm Environment 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 “I know personally we are doing stock units. Montana’s on-farm objective as if I was constantly being viewed by everything we can to protect waterways. is to “consistently maximise profit by anyone—urban, rural or foreign; I would I want things to look pretty, I want our sustainably producing to a very high like them to see happy, healthy stock and stock to be happy and healthy and I want standard, while minimising any negative staff, clean fresh water, minimal hazards them to taste good. We give it our all impact on the stock, staff and the and to really portray the clean green and we do our best and I hope people environment.” 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

10 Freshwater 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 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) 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 Clyde Hall 17 November 12:30-2pm, 26 November, 12:30-2pm, Roxburgh Memorial Hall Arrowtown Bowling Club

11 Stay 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 great things to protect and enhance our Eco-sourcing seeds waterways, please let us know by emailing and propagating plants [email protected] 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.

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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: [email protected] 12