Environment Committee Progress Report for the Period July to October 2013
December 2013
Land Management
1 Whanganui Catchment Strategy (WCS)
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW: The Whanganui Catchment Strategy (WCS) project relates to its ‘strategy’ activities introduced in 1997 which focus on the upper Whanganui River catchments aiming to prioritise an incentive programme in the area. Ultimately the strategy aims to address erosion hot spots that affect downstream water quality.
1.1 Outputs (What we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE TARGET % 1st 2nd 3rd 4th ACTUAL WCS farm plans completed / delivered 0 0 5 0 Grant projects agreed 41 41 25 164 Complete Annual Report to WRET - - 1 - Land improvement (hectares protected) 14 14 250 6
1.1 Outputs Activity Summary
Implementation:
1.1.1 Two WCS plans from 2012-13 (carried forward) were delivered to landowners in July and August respectively. No work plans had been discussed as at the time there were no grant funds available with all funds being fully allocated. The Whanganui River Enhancement Trusts (WRET) have since confirmed funding will mean these properties will be re assessed and can proceed.
1.1.2 In relation to the new financial year, to date we have received and approved 41 environmental grant applications totalling $101,737 of grant funding (NB: the overall project costs are greater than this amount). As the year progresses projects are managed within the grant budget of $103,000 ($50.000 HRC and $53,000 WRET). Despite exceeding the targeted number of grants (41 cf. 25) the 41 grants that were approved were within the total funding budget of $103,000. The grants have therefore averaged less than expected coming in at $4,120 per grant.
1.1.3 Of the 41 grants approved a total of six grant claims have been paid out. These grants amounted to an overall expenditure of $19,685 ($3,561 per claim). These work claims were for; pole planting (one), riparian fencing (four) and one for afforestation. These works account for 14 hectares of works treated to date.
1.1.4 A confirmation letter has been received from WRET endorsing the 2012-13 Annual Report and approving Horizons funding application for 2013-14 of $53,000 (plus GST). The Trustees have also supported in principle a second application covering a Case Study farm on the Parkes property. They are however unable to confirm funding for this project until they have completed their strategic plan.
1.1.5 In association with this second application staff have made a visit to the Parkes property with WRET representatives. The purpose was to become more familiar with the property and the concept of a Case Study farm, hopefully to gain support and extra funding from WRET to implement this enhanced work programme.
LAND MANAGEMENT
1.1.6 An issue of pole supply continues for the upper Ruapehu area. As most poles need to be purchased and transported from the Manawatu often these more isolated areas miss out. The potential Iwi nursery that was planned to address some of this shortfall seems to have fallen over due to lack of funding and problems with the land to be planted. Council and farmers currently supply 748 poles supplemented by a further 1,370 poles purchased in. A sustainable supply of around 5,000 would be desirable.
One Plan Implementation:
1.1.7 One Plan implementation has been reported more fully in the Regional and Coast section of this report. However vegetation clearance consents make up most of the workload in the WCS area at this stage. Cultivation on land over 20 degrees is an emerging issue to be considered as Horizons implemented this rule. Landowners do not appear to be aware of the rule at this stage, its implications or relevance to them.
Other:
1.1.8 Staff have attended the NZARM conference, a riparian and land management field day at Whatawhata Research farm near Hamilton and have had Land Use Capability and Land Resource Inventory training with Garth Eyles (consultant and trainer).
Allan Kirk ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR - WHANGANUI CATCHMENT STRATEGY
Grant Cooper MANAGER – LAND
LAND MANAGEMENT
2 Regional Land Initiatives
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW: The Regional Land project is a catch-all for a number of routine activities not covered by the SLUI and WCS programmes. Environmental Grants (E Grants) for land and erosion projects, support of significant industry partnerships (e.g. Ballance Farm Environment Awards and Beef and Lamb NZ Monitor Farms) and soil health programmes, coastal dune erosion and nursery management are included in this group.
2.1 Outputs (What we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE TARGET % 1st 2nd 3rd 4th ACTUAL Soil health workshops 0 0 2 0 Produce soil health plans 1 1 5 20 Produce Environmental Farm Plans 0 0 10 0 Environmental grant projects 42 42 50 84 Industry partnerships funded or supported - ongoing 4 - Fund Poplar and Willow Trust - ongoing 1 - Fund and support Ballance Farm Environment Awards - ongoing 1 - Manage HRC nurseries to produce poplar poles (poles - ongoing 7000 - produced) Source additional poplar poles (poles sourced) - ongoing 13000 - Provide technical support to P&W Research Trust to - - 1 0 provide sites for trial and bulking new clones Land improvement (hectares protected) 4 4 350 1
2.2 Output Activity Summary
Implementation:
2.2.1 Soil Health Plans (SHP) focus on soil mapping intensively farmed properties generally on ‘down land’ landscapes or west coast sand country. Soil Health Plans are one of the non regulatory methods signalled in the One Plan (Method 5.3). One Soil Health Plan has been completed and delivered to date. A meeting with landowners to explain this plan is proposed for 24th November. Two further SHPs are on the books to be completed over summer with the help of students from the SLUI scholarship programme. Targets for SHPs have been forecast down over the past few years in deference to Whanganui Catchment Strategy and SLUI Farm Plans.
2.2.2 A second activity undertaken in this area is the preparation of Environmental Plans. Environmental Plans (EP) differ slightly from SHPs in that they target different land types (generally farms outside of SLUI) and have a slightly different emphasis. Both SHPs and EPs undertake SWOT analysis, paddock scale mapping and offer up recommendations for improvements. Depending on the site, nutrient budgets can also be prepared. No Environmental Plans (EP) are planned at this stage. This farm plan work will be treated as lower priority in deference to staff putting time into One Plan implementation, including developing processes to implement land rules around cultivation, earth disturbance, vegetation clearance and forestry.
2.2.3 This activity group (Regional Land) has seen a total of 42 environmental grant projects approved with a total grant cost of $86,688. While this is slightly over the budgeted grant allocation for this activity this year, cancellations, transfers and savings on claims received during the year traditionally allow for this over allocation or any new jobs that may be taken up as a result of these changes or cancellations.
2.2.4 Four claims have been paid out totalling $11,857 of grant expenditure. The breakdown of work types for these claims are; one each for space planting of poplar and willow poles, bush retirement for erosion control, afforestation, and slump control.
2.2.5 These four projects have contributed to four hectares of erosion reduction works being completed.
LAND MANAGEMENT
2.2.6 Pole planting season has been completed, claims for grant projects are starting to come forward. The bulk of the pole planting is for SLUI projects but around 1,500 poles have gone out to clients outside SLUI in Regional and Coast work zones.
Industry Partnerships:
2.2.7 A number of Industry Partnership programmes have been attended during this period. The first round of the Ballance Farm Environment Award judging has been completed. Fourteen entrants, split between dairy, and sheep and beef, have been judged with five entrants to be judged again in the finalist round. Two Future Forest Research meetings and workshops were attended and staff have had input into the shape of future forest research funding. The Poplar and Willow Trust AGM was held on the 21st November.
Advice and Information:
2.2.8 In the coastal advice area, assistance was given to a planting contractor in sourcing marram for dune stabilization work at Raumai Bombing Range
2.2.9 In addition to works programmes advice has been given to 29 landowners regarding erosion issues. The vast majority was around poplar and willow pole establishment.
2.2.10 Staff have assisted with four community planting days through Hunterville, Taihape Area and Kumeroa Schools and a Ratana early childhood group.
2.2.11 A number of staff attended the New Zealand Association of Resource Management Conference (NZARM) in Gisborne. The subjects of forestry, land use change, harvesting steeplands were features of this year’s conference. Staff were also involved in the flood barrier training in Whanganui, this was timely as the training was called upon for use in the flood event two weeks later.
One Plan Implementation:
2.2.12 Eleven staff have totalled 240 hours work on One Plan implementation to date. This includes;
. Meeting with groups such as Federated Farmers to discuss the land rules and their implementation. . Assisting with development of guideline documents . Meeting with contractors . Vetting eight sediment control plans put forward for forest harvesting . Inspections and issuing land use consents (19 in total) - Five vegetation clearance in Regional and Coast, seven in Whanganui Catchment Strategy - Two cultivation in R&C, two in WCS - Three land disturbance in R&C
2.2.13 Staff also responded to one tracking operation at Pukeokahu that was the subject of a complaint. This was inspected and was deemed to require consent under One Plan. The farmer has been asked to prepare a sediment control plan. The complaint included comment on landscape values but the area is not listed in Schedule F of the One Plan. Other concerns coming to light were around hill country/aerial cropping but this work does not breach any rules. Staff have continued dialogue with the farmer and neighbours to get a satisfactory resolution. Discussion now centred on implementing best management practices.
2.2.14 Feedback on the in-field consent process is largely positive at this stage. The process from Land Management staff through to sign off by the Regulatory Manager is working effectively. Meetings with contractors have been carried out to ensure the contractor is aware of their obligations, as well as those of the landowners. The contractors’ main concern seems to be around all being treated equally and they worry they run the risk of informing a landowner they need a consent to find that the landowner will get another contractor.
LAND MANAGEMENT
New tracking at Pukeokahu (near Taihape). Requires consent under One Plan
Dave Harrison ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR - REGIONAL AND COAST
Grant Cooper MANAGER - LAND
LAND MANAGEMENT
LAND MANAGEMENT
Rural Advice
3 Rural Advisory Team
3.1 Targets
2013-14 TARGETS Provide advice in response to an estimated 200 requests in a timely, consistent and relevant manner principally to the agricultural sector All requests for advice will be acknowledged within two working days of being received and actioned at the earliest mutually agreed time Organise three rural professional workshops Collate and update relevant activities of agricultural Good Environmental Practice Facilitate the completion of 35 Mangatainoka catchment Environmental Farm Plans by 30 June 2014
3.2 Activity Summary
3.2.1 Between October 2009 (the inception of the Rural Advisory Team) and end of October 2013, 830 individual requests for advice have been received. This averages 17 requests per month.
3.2.2 Between 1 July 2013 and 31 October 2013, 68 requests on 13 issues have been received all of which have been completed. General advice on farm dairy effluent and effluent storage continue to dominate enquiries: However enquiries regarding nutrient management appear to be replacing more general enquiry on the One Plan.
3.2.3 Table 1 lists the type of enquiry received during the last reporting period where 68 individuals requested advice on 13 issues.
Table 1: Requests received during the reporting period – July - October (inclusive) 2013 REQUEST TYPE ENQUIRIES Effluent pond storage 15 Farm dairy effluent - general 12 Farm LUC/soil mapping 9 Consent advice 5 Dairy conversion information 7 Nutrient management 11 Pre farm purchase information 3 Target catchment boundary location 3 One Plan general 2 Silage, underpass, riparian management, farm tracking 1 each
RURAL ADVICE
Graph 1: Rural Advice Requests July 2012 - June 2013 compared to year to date July – October (inclusive) 2013
3.2.4 Freshwater Clean-up fund project – Mangatainoka catchment Environmental Farm Plans (EFP): Sixty EFPs were completed by 30 September 2013 – this was five more than the milestone of 55 although this had been revised down from 60. A summary of the project data from the 60 farms is presented in a report appended at end of this section.
Table 2: Environmental Farm Plan project progress summary Activity Farms “signed up” 87 out of 88 Soil maps completed 75 EFPs completed 60 Soil maps in preparation 11 EFPs in preparation 10 Next milestone 31 December 2013 70 plans to be completed
3.2.5 General: Staff organised and ran a half day workshop on the Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator Staff have contributed to: . On-going discussions and workshops on implementation of the One Plan nutrient management provisions . The national “Overseer Best Practice Data Input Standards” which have been completed . Primary ITO development of a two day nutrient budget course . Foundation for Arable Research Sustainable Farming Fund bid to improve Overseer for arable and horticultural cropping
Peter Taylor MANAGER RURAL ADVICE
RURAL ADVICE
Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund Project Plan -7 Horizons Regional Council, Environmental Farm Plans Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord
Project Progress Report
Milestone 4 – 30 September 2013
Introduction
The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) project fits into Objective 3 of the overall work programme of the Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund, which aims to reduce the non-point source pollution contribution from dairy farms with environmental farm plans to the Manawatu Catchment by 10% by 2021.
The project was based on completing 60-80 EFP’s on dairy farms in the Mangatainoka River catchment where water quality is in need of improvement.
The Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund was applied for on behalf of the Manawatu River Accord and a total of $5.2M granted, of which, $300,000 was dedicated to the EFP project. Horizons Regional Council and DairyNZ have committed $230,000 and $100,000 respectively. Ravensdown and Ballance-Agri Nutrients have/are committing staff time.
Results
Sixty EFPs and 77 farm soil/LUC maps have been completed. This is five more plans than the milestone of 55 expected to have been completed by 30 September 2013.
Table 1 provides a summary of farm information based on 60 dairy farms.
Table 1: Summary farm data for 60 Mangatainoka catchment dairy farms
Total Effective Run off Number Cows MS/cow MS/ha Fodder Imported Rainfall farm Ha effective of cows per Crop Supple- (mm) ha including ha effective ha ment run-off ha (T) Average 133.2 117.6 55.6 294.5 2.5 361 910 6.6 149 1663 Min 59 53 0 110 2 291 579 0 0 1098 Max 294 263 235 700 4 465 1298 29 533 2425
With respect to nitrogen leaching as modelled with Overseer the average is 34kg N/ha/year and the range is 10 to 61.
RURAL ADVICE
Table 2: Number of farms within categories quantifying the difference between modelled leaching using Overseer and the LUC based cumulative nitrogen leaching maximums in Table 13.2 (One Plan)
Numbers of farms Kg N/ha/yr Year 1 Year 5 Year 10 Year 20 leached Meets 9 3 3 1 1 to 5 over 16 15 6 8 6 to 10 over 9 11 17 13 11 to 20 over 13 17 17 20 21 to 50 over 13 14 17 18
Totals 60 60 60 60
One Plan implications
Horizons Regional Council resolved on 26/6/13 how the nutrient management provisions of the One Plan are to be implemented. Where farms can meet the Table 13.2 cumulative nitrogen leaching maximums to year 20, a 20 to 25 year consent will be granted. Where farms cannot meet these to year 20 and can make progress reducing N leached, a 15 to 20 year consent will be granted. Where farms cannot show any N leached reductions a 3 to 5 year consent will be granted. With respect to the last point it is acknowledged that there will be some farms that cannot reasonably reduce N leached as they are leaching as little as can be expected taking into account farm system efficiency, rainfall, and soil type.
Project financial position as at 30 September 2013
Table 3: Environmental Farm Plan project financial position summary as at 30/9/13*
Income Work completed and Work completed yet to be Position 30/9/13 invoiced invoiced (approx.) (approx.) Milestone 3 $472,500 $412,015 $0 $412,015 *NB: this includes work completed up to this date and the costs of that work even though invoices have been received after that date.
Project expenditure is keeping within income. There are no known issues that would change this as the project progresses towards the next milestone.
Project outlook
There are no anticipated risks to our meeting the next milestone target of 70 EFP’s by 31 December 2013 or the overall target of at least 80 EFP’s being completed by 30 June 2014.
Implementation of actions to reduce N leaching has presented two alternatives: During the follow up to an EFP being completed it has become evident some farmers wish to apply for consent now. In this instance the implementation of mitigation options, if not already completed, take the form of an agreed consent condition. Where consent isn’t being sought the options are discussed and left with the farmer to think about to be followed up at a later stage.
Peter Taylor Derek Ryan Project Manager Project Coordinator 6 November 2013
RURAL ADVICE
Freshwater Management
4 Waterway Enhancement & Protection
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW: This output covers Council’s non-regulatory response to water quality; primarily the fencing-off of streams and planting of riparian margins. Of a lesser priority, but also covered, is the restoration of in-stream habitat through the clearance and removal of willows and by-passing of fish barriers. The activity is divided into two areas, the first section presents information on the regional freshwater implantation programme and the second section covers the Manawatu River Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund projects. The regional freshwater implementation programme is focused on delivery in priority catchments/areas (for water quality and in-stream habitat purposes), with staff also responding to ad hoc requests from landowners, community groups, schools and iwi. A key driver of these ad hoc requests is dairy farmers as they move towards fulfilling their obligations under the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord. Support is provided in the form of advice, financial assistance, and project planning and management. Fencing and planting financial support is provided through Horizons’ Environmental Grant, the Freshwater Clean-up fund projects and other freshwater support funding where available.
4.1 Outputs (What we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE TARGET % ACTUAL 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Target additional focus waterway for water 0 0 1 0 quality improvement Assist dairy farmers to deliver on their Dairying 8 8 5 160% and Clean Streams Accord obligations Work with individuals, community groups, or 84 84 10 840% iwi to improve waterways Environmental Grant applications supported 54 54 20 270%
4.2 Output Activity Summary
Target additional focus waterway for water quality improvement:
4.2.1 Currently we are not planning to target an additional focus catchment due to a high number of existing catchments that are still underway, and the need to ensure the Clean up Fund work in the Manawatu is completed. Feedback from Council on this approach is welcomed.
Continuing work in already identified focus catchments:
4.2.2 Work with various groups, farmers and schools around the region has progressed well and the achievements noted in the table above are additional to work undertaken via the Manawatu River Accord/ Manawatu Freshwater Clean-up Fund (reported elsewhere). This regional programme (excluding the Manawatu Accord work) has a total of 54 grant applications and completed 5.65 km of stream fencing, and 6615 natives planted in riparian areas.
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
4.2.3 The regional freshwater programme has had very high interest this year, and is fully subscribed with a waiting list for projects. It is very pleasing to see the range of projects occurring in this area and the enthusiasm of landowners to undertake stream and river retirement projects.
4.2.4 This non-regulatory activity has targets for working on priority waterways. For the reporting below, the term priority water ways has been renamed “focus catchments”. This is to differentiate these catchments from the “Targeted Water Management subzones” identified in the One Plan Rule 13.1, that have also been occasionally referred to as priority zones. There are some overlaps between the “focus catchments” and the areas identified in Rule 13.1 as identified below.
4.2.5 Some projects within focus catchments are yet to be fully agreed on with landowners so figures are indicative. The table below provides an indication of works proposed and what has been claimed so far, but please note this is subject to change as seasonal conditions can alter which projects go ahead and which are delayed.
4.2.6 In addition, the team are scoping 5 fish pass fixes on culverts that are perched and preventing native fish accessing suitable habitat upstream. These are on the Awarua, Koputaroa and other catchments. The improvement of fish passage around the Lake Horowhenua Weir is also proposed to start in summer.
4.2.7 The freshwater team are working closely with the operations teams of HRC on a range of projects, particularly around Lake Horowhenua.
Lake Horowhenua weir
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Table 3: Summary of completed and proposed work in focus catchments for the regional freshwater programme for 2013-14 Is this also Year to date Year to Proposed Proposed a nutrient KM of date no. Catchment KM of numbers Comments priority fencing of natives fencing of natives catchment? completed planted Waiting on fencer to Awarua No 200m 2100 0 0 start, planting June 2014. Hautapu No 620m 680 120 90 Fencing over summer, Kaitoke Yes 1.5km 950 0 430 planting June 2014. Also completed some Lake Yes 2.8km 3500 2.8km 1600 willow control, signage Horowhenua and tree releasing work. Fencing delayed due to Manganui o te Ao No 2.3km 0 0 0 flooding event. Fencing planned for Mowhanau No 8.5km 4000 0 0 summer, planting June 2014 Tree releasing also Waikawa Yes 2.7km 870 125 1835 completed. Only tree releasing Waiwiri Yes 0 0 0 0 proposed for this year Regional Fencing tends to occur Freshwater mostly in late summer, Grants (outside 26 km 13,000 2.6 2660 and planting in focus May/June. catchments) 6615 25,100 5.65 km 44.6 km plants TOTAL plants fencing proposed already proposed complete planted
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Checking a fence line in the Horowhenua.
Staff assisted with advice on a Raetihi School replanting.
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Young plantings in the Awarua Stream, Wanganui, 2013
Assist dairy farmers to deliver on their Dairying and Clean Streams Accord obligations:
4.2.8 In the 2013-14 financial year, the target for this activity is to assist five dairy farmers (outside of Manawatu) to deliver on their Dairy and Clean Streams Accord obligations. We have already exceeded this target, with eight dairy farmers visited, one of which was provided with advice on riparian fencing and/or planting only, and seven with environmental grant (for work that does not fall into the Clean Streams Accord obligations). Other dairy farmers have been visited and assisted in the Manawatu Catchment as discussed in the Manawatu River Accord and Freshwater Clean-up fund section of this agenda.
Work with individuals, community groups, or iwi to improve waterways:
4.2.9 The target of working with 10 individuals, community groups, or iwi to improve waterways has been exceeded, with a total of 84. Staff have visited and provided advice to 30 groups, landowners or external agencies (one of these dairy) outside of the Environmental Grants process. This is in addition to the 54 who have been provided with advice and Environmental Grant this year.
4.2.10 In addition staff are working on some publications to help the wider public undertake freshwater enhancement work. Examples include working with Wanganui District Council on a Urban stream restoration guide and with Dairy NZ on Riparian management guides for Dairying. Staff are also finalising a Horizons Planting Guide which is a ‘how to’ for planning, undertaking and managing plantings. This guide will include specific lists of native species for each district that are hardy enough for ‘initial’ plantings in streamside areas.
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Environmental Grant applications supported:
4.2.11 The target of supporting 20 Environmental Grant Applications over the year has also been exceeded. A total of 54 (seven dairy) water quality Environmental Grant applications were received during the year for projects outside of the Manawatu Catchment. A total of 15 of these projects were completed and claimed by the end of October 2013. The work completed with grant, included 5.65 km of stream fencing, and 6615 native plants as well as some plant releasing and weed control works to ensure young plantings establish successfully.
Clare Ridler FRESHWATER COORDINATOR
Jon Roygard FRESHWATER AND SCIENCE MANAGER
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
5 Manawatu River Accord and Manawatu Freshwater Clean-up Fund
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW: The second component of the freshwater implementation programme is the work under the Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord that includes the commitment to over 130 actions in the action plan. This programme also includes the delivery of the Manawatu Freshwater Clean-up Fund project which receives $5.2 million of Government funding to assist the Forum in improving the river. The $5.2 million contributes to a programme of works totalling $30.154 million. The balance of the funding is primarily from the Territorial Authorities involved in the project (Tararua, Manawatu and Horowhenua District Councils). DairyNZ is also contributing $100 K. Horizons contribution to the project includes the $400 K/annum targeted rate for the implementation of the Manawatu River Accord.
5.1 Output Activity Summary
Manawatu River Leaders’ Forum:
5.1.1 An overview of the timelines for the development of the Manawatu River Leaders’ Forum and the subsequent action plan is provided in Figure 1. The action plan is overseen by the Manawatu River Leaders’ Forum with meetings twice annually.
5.1.2 The Manawatu River Leaders’ Forum met on the 19th June 2013 and focused on a report back of progress on the actions outlined in the Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord Action Plan. A compilation of this progress was put together and printed in local papers, informing the public of progress to date. See copy of advertisement at the end of this section.
5.1.3 The next scheduled Manawatu River Leaders’ meeting is scheduled for the 14th November. Agenda items will include an update from the Ministry for the Environment on other projects funded through central Government’s Freshstart to Freshwater Clean-up Fund around the country. Further presentations will be completed by iwi representatives to report back on progress from the iwi meetings around the aspirations and desires for a cultural management plan for the Manawatu River. Horizons Regional Council staff will present on the health of the river and report back on progress to date on the Freshwater Clean-up Fund project.
Manawatu Manawatu Manawatu Clean-up Fund Action plan River Leaders’ River Leaders’ River Leaders’ project ends continues
Accord signed Forum secured Accord Clean-
and action $5.2 million up Fund plan agreed dollars of projects funding from started to be Government’s implemented
Freshstart for 2014 on July July 2014 Freshwater July 2012
Clean-up Fund
March 2012 March August 2010 August
Figure 1: Manawatu River Leaders’ Forum Action Plan timeline
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Freshwater Clean-up Fund:
5.1.4 The Manawatu River Leaders Accord draws $5.2 million from central Government’s Fresh-start to Freshwater Clean-up Fund which is part of a $30 million dollar package to improve the water quality in the wider Manawatu River Catchment. The project is made up of eight sub projects, these are;
. Wastewater treatment plant upgrades within Tararua District (Woodville, Dannevirke and Pahiatua) . Wastewater treatment plant upgrades within Manawatu District (Feilding and Kimbolton) . Land treatment of Shannon’s wastewater within Horowhenua District . Stream fencing (primarily working with sheep and beef farmers and on dairy run-offs) . Native fish habitat restoration . Whitebait habitat restoration . Environmental Farm Plans . Community projects
5.1.5 The project is managed via a Steering Group and a Governance Group. The Governance Group consists of Chair and Chief Executive of Horizons Regional Council, Independent Chair of the Manawatu River Leaders’ Forum, and a representative from Ministry for the Environment (MfE). The Steering Group consists of two staff from Horizons Regional Council and one staff member from MfE.
5.1.6 Implementation work on this project began in July 2012, the project has made considerable progress and has just finished reporting on the fifth quarterly report, the project is expected to come to completion by June 2014 with final reporting to be completed by September 2014.
Activity during the reporting period
5.1.7 The Governance Group meet on the 18th September where they toured some of the clean-up fund projects in the lower part of the Manawatu Catchment, including the spawning site at Whirokino and the land purchased for the Shannon effluent land treatment project. The Governance Group also met to discuss and re-allocate additional funding gained from interest and savings made in some of the projects. This included more funding going towards the stream fencing project and additional equipment purchased for upgrades at the Pahiatua sewage treatment plant. Revised programmes were also approved.
5.1.8 During this reporting period Horizons completed the first annual report to MfE for the Freshwater Clean- up Fund project in August and the 5th quarterly report in October. The bulk of the planting programmes have been completed over the last four months, delivering on native fish and whitebait habitat restoration projects. This has included a community planting day the source of the Manawatu, a stakeholders planting day on the Pukemiku Stream near Pahiatua, an iwi lead planting day at Whirokino and school planting days. A particular highlight was achieving more work in the first three months of this financial year that the previous 12 months in the native fish habitat restoration project.
Sign at Whirokino explaining the work being done at the spawning site and the lifecycle of Whitebait
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Planting day at Whirokino on 14th August lead by Muaupoko Tribal Authority
Mayor Roly Ellis (Tararua District Council) Craig Mitchell and Manahi Paewai (Te Kauru hapu collective) plant the first tree near the source of the Manawatu. Approximately 60 people turned out on 27th July and planted around 1500 plants as part of the native fish habitat restoration project
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Current status of projects
5.1.9 The current status of the projects are summarised below;
. All three District Council (DC) related projects have achieved major milestones. Tararua DC has purchased pond liners and completed pond lining at Woodville. One pond at Dannevirke has been lined with the other due to be completed by the end of the year. Plans for the land treatment of effluent at Dannevirke is well underway, with a memorandum of understanding in place with a landowner to irrigate on their land. Savings made on this project have allowed funding to be redirected to additional works for water quality improvement. This includes the addition of a disc filter type system to reduce levels of phosphorus and other contaminants from the discharge. Some of redirected funding is also being used to deepen the wastewater treatment ponds to provide greater capacity for storage of effluent during low flow events, reducing the need for effluent to be discharged to the river when the river is most vulnerable to contamination. It is expected that the upgrades at Feilding, that the Clean-up Fund is contributing to, will be fully operational in November 2013. . Manawatu DC has purchased treatment upgrade equipment, it is now on site with some components already installed. . Horowhenua DC has purchased land for a land treatment system (nine months ahead of schedule). The application for the land treatment consent is expected to be lodged in November. Horowhenua DC staff have reported that this places them two years ahead of the expected schedule. . The stream fencing project has 77.2 km of fencing completed. Landowner contributions are averaging 60%, being greater than the 33% forecast. This means more physical works are being achieved per dollar of MFE and HRC investment than anticipated. Overall the stream fencing project is fully allocated, including having allocated the additional money approved by the Governance Group in September. At the end of the fifth quarter the stream fencing project was considered 101% allocated. . The native fish project has exceeded targets with 19,082 plants planted and 5.4 km of fencing completed. Work is planned over this summer to remedy eight fish barriers. At the end of the fifth quarter the native fish project was considered 96.7% allocated. . The whitebait habitat project is going well with work being undertaken at three spawning sites and various work to enhance adult whitebait habitat. So far 3.5 km of stream fencing has been completed and 7,351 plants have been planted this season. At the end of the fifth quarter the whitebait project was considered 95.1% allocated. . The original target of 60 environmental farm plans completed by 30th September has been met. . 15 community projects have been funded (target four in year one, eight over two years), three are complete.
5.1.10 The project is well placed to deliver on its targets by 30th June 2014, however to do so will require considerable effort by all involved particularly those parties external to HRC who have made commitments for completion of works. HRC staff will continue to work closely with these groups and agencies to support them in their efforts and will also ensure that HRC commitments are met.
Lucy Ferguson FRESHWATER COORDINATOR
Jon Roygard FRESHWATER AND SCIENCE MANAGER
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Map 1: Proposed clean-up fund projects.
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Map 2: Work completed on clean-up fund projects to date.
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Map 3: All Manawatu Clean-up Fund projects committed to or underway at 31 March 2013
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Science
6 Land Research and Monitoring
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW: The land research and monitoring output focuses on improving our knowledge and understanding of the Region’s land resources. The activity includes work on the region’s soil and fluvial (gravel) resources. Anther key focus is on aspects of land treatment of wastewater such as on site wastewater management, design of land treatment systems for municipal and dairy shed wastewater treatment. This output has close connections with other outputs (particularly water quality and environmental monitoring and reporting and across organisation programmes, for example the Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) and flood protection/flood scheme design.
6.1 Outputs (What we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE TARGET 1st 2nd 3rd 4th ACTUAL Track changes in the health of the Region’s land and 25% 25% 100% fluvial resource Inform policy and non-regulatory programme 25% 25% 100% development Assess policy and implementation effectiveness 25% 25% 100%
6.2 Activity Summary
TARGET: Track changes in the health of the Region’s land and fluvial resource
Fluvial monitoring and reporting:
6.2.1 The fluvial monitoring and reporting programme has a primary focus on establishing good information about the levels of river beds through cross sectional surveys and the amount of gravel extracted from rivers. This information is provided to Horizons river design engineers and operational staff to inform the long term and day to day management of the gravel resource within the region’s rivers. The programme is several years into a closely coordinated cross organisational effort to establish better knowledge for the management of gravel in the region.
6.2.2 Cross section surveys completed in 2012-13 and those planned for the current financial year are outlined in the table below. The initial effort for survey this year is to continue on from the work in the South East Ruahine scheme that was concluded in May 2013. At that point the survey team had completed approximately 40% of the South East Ruahine cross sections. The survey component was always intended to be over two years however less was achieved in the first year than anticipated. The survey ceased earlier than originally planned due to lower than forecast gravel take revenues last financial year. The survey work recommenced in late September and he survey status is as follows;
. The Tamaki River survey has been completed (carried over from last financial year) . The Manga atua Stream and Mangatewainui streams are nearly finished.
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. Surveys of cross sections on the South East Ruahine schemes Mangetewaiiti, Mangapapa and Mangatera, together with those on the upper Manawatu River are next on the programme.
Table 4: Summary of survey work complete in 2012-13 and proposed work (subject to budget availability in 2013-14. Survey Number of cross-sections Sections River / Stream General Location Programmed Original Extra Total surveyed Pohangina 2012-13 114 -65 49 43 Kumeti SE Ruahines 2012-13 12 12 12 Otamaraho SE Ruahines 2012-13 10 10 10 Otamarahu SE Ruahines 2012-13 16 16 16 Tamaki SE Ruahines 2012-13 30 19 49 22 Oruakeretaki SE Ruahine 2012-13 6 6 6 Rokaiwhana SE Ruahines 2012-13 28 28 24 Mangapukakakahu SE Ruahines 2012-13 5 5 5 TOTAL 221 175 138 No of cross sections Survey Sections River / Stream General Location – Hilltop sites Programmed surveyed Original Extra Total Manga atua SE Ruahines 2013-14 42 41 Mangapapa SE Ruahines 2013-14 5 18 23 Mangatera SE Ruahines 2013-14 ? 12 12 Mangatewainui SE Ruahines 2013-14 ? 12 12 Mangatewaiiti SE Ruahines 2013-14 ? 12 12 Raparapawai SE Ruahines 2013-14 8 20 28 Manawatu Above Gorge 2013-14 8 8 Manawatu Above Gorge 2013-14 19 19 Makuriiti East of Pahiatua 2013-14 11 11 Mangahao West of Pahiatua 2013-14 11 11 Kawhatau Rangitikei R trib 2013-14 42 42 TOTAL 146 74 129
Kahuterawa Monitoring:
6.2.3 A student project has been initiated with Massey University to complete an assessment of habitat of the Kahuterawa Stream area where work is underway for restoration of native fish habitat and biodiversity values, alongside the initial phases of a flood protection scheme being established. The assessment by Massey University will provide useful baseline information to measure the success of these programmes. The intention is for future monitoring to be undertaken as part of Massey course work and feedback to provided to Horizons from the monitoring information gathered, along with recommendations on how to manage this area.
Gravel Extraction Data:
6.2.4 Collection and storage of information on the amount of gravel being extracted from schemes and consents is ongoing on a quarterly basis.
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TARGET: Inform policy and non-regulatory programme development
Working with our Territorial Authorities:
6.2.5 Staff continue to provide advice to district councils about on-site wastewater system designs as part of the TA building consents process. To date in 2013, there have been 50 approvals processed for Horowhenua District Council and 15 for Rangitikei District Council. Requests for comments on nine on- site systems for the Palmerston North City Council, two for Wanganui District Council, two for the Manawatu District Council and four for the Ruapehu District Council have also been provided.
On-site Effluent Treatment National Testing Programme (OSET NTP):
6.2.6 Horizons is a cofunding agency for this joint work to establish the efficacy of various onsite wastewater systems at a research facility in Rotorua.
6.2.7 The OSET NTP was established in 2008 under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC), Rotorua District Council (RDC), Water NZ, and SWANS-SIG (Small Wastewater And Natural Systems Special Interest Group). It provides a testing and benchmarking facility for ex-factory on-site domestic wastewater treatment units at a purpose built facility (OSET TestFac) located within the Rotorua City Wastewater Treatment Plant. Benchmark testing is a pre-cursor to a parallel field testing programme. To date there have been 35 domestic wastewater treatment plants (from 20 companies) put through the testing regime at this facility via eight trials.
6.2.8 Each trial runs from November through to July, with a two month settling in period followed by a six month test period (of which the last three months involves benchmarking of six treated effluent quality parameters) and a one month high load test.
6.2.9 Data sets from the laboratory testing are analysed and reported on by the Technical Manager in association with the Reporting Manager. A Management and Auditing Group (SWANS-MAG) has been established to review the test results and compile a benchmarking and performance certification report. This report assesses treatment performance in meeting the secondary effluent treatment requirements of AS/NZS 1547 standards for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids, and in addition benchmarks the median values of treated effluent quality for biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus and faecal coliforms. Average daily energy consumption is also assessed.
6.2.10 Councils are one of the main beneficiaries of the national testing programme because it provides certainty regarding performance certification of on-site domestic wastewater treatment units. As reported in the October Environment Committee Agenda, Horizons has been contributing to funding for this project for several years (including this year) and the information gained is valuable for informing on-site wastewater management in the Region and policy development for example the on-site wastewater rules in the One Plan.
6.2.11 Funding Partners for 2013 are: . Bay of Plenty Regional Council . Waikato Regional Council . Rotorua District Council . Gisborne District Council . Auckland Council . Hawkes Bay Regional Council . Northland Regional Council . Horizons Regional Council . Ashburton District Council . Whangarei District Council . Far North District Council . Taupo District Council . Western Bay of Plenty District Council . Waikato District Council
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TARGET: Assess policy and implementation effectiveness
Sustainable Land Use (SLUI) outcomes reporting:
6.2.12 Horizons has partnered with Landcare Research in a project that links the farm scale actions from the SLUI programme to the Sednet NZ model to determine likely in-river sediment outcomes of alternative implementation scenarios of SLUI. This work builds on previous research to understand the sediment loads in river and separately to develop modelling of erosion processes in catchments and how they contribute to sediment loads in-river. This new project advances that work by inserting the very specific information from the SLUI programme into the regional scale data sets that are currently within the Landcare Research model. The end goal of this research is to be able to explore management options for SLUI and the likely outcomes for sediment in-river that will be achieved from these.
6.2.13 The project will be carried out in 4 phases;
1) Phase 1 will check the calibration of Sednet NZ for the Manawatu Catchment, comparing predictions from the model with actual measurements of sediment yield in the Manawatu tributaries. It will also document an overview of the changes made from the calibration of Sednet to create the new model Sednet NZ. Calibration of the will then be undertaken for the rest of the region using sediment yield information from Horizons continuous sediment monitoring network. This will enable management options for SLUI to be tested for the whole region whereas previously it has been limited to the Manawatu catchment.
1) Phase 2 will improve the connection between the modelled outcomes and the work being done in SLUI. To do this the Sednet NZ model will be populated with farmscale information from SLUI plans and actual information on works completed.
2) Phase 3 will test three implementation scenarios using actual and predicted farm plan implementation options for the Manawatu Catchment and then the entire Horizons Region. To ensure the model is well informed experienced staff (Grant Cooper) from Horizons will provide guidance on where future works are likely to be undertaken within the region.
3) Phase 4 will report on the findings of the research. The report will include: - the regional and site specific relationship between Sednet NZ outputs to measured loads of sediment. (Phase 1). - A table with the efficacy of each of the work types e.g. Forestry reduces sediment by xx%. and;
For the Manawatu catchment and wider regional analysis, the report will document - Baseline results of where we are at with current works. (Phase 2) - The method and results of the scenario analysis undertaken (Phase 3) - The contribution in terms of reduction of sediment each work type is making. - Commentary on the reduction of Phosphorus with sediment reduction under the different scenarios. - The work is expected to be completed by June 2014.
The Suitability of Tephra to Treat Municipal Wastewater:
6.2.14 Horizons continued research support into the effectiveness of tephra as a low cost additional treatment technology for municipal effluent. Research to date has demonstrated that some andesitic tephra sub soils have relatively high phosphorus (P) adsorption capacities. These studies have shown that these sub soils have promise as low cost media for use in filters to remove dissolved reactive P (DRP) drainage and waste waters. The recent activity in this area has been a two phase research project the first being lab based and completed in June 2012.
6.2.15 The second phase Horizons commissioned in conjunction with Tararua District Council at Dannevirke Sewage Treatment Plant. This work aligns with work at that site for the Freshwater Clean-up Fund. This research project with Massey University was established to field-trial the use of tephra. This trial is to see the effectiveness of the tephra work at large in the way it might be applied in a sewage treatment plant and to learn more about how to construct and operate tephra treatment facilities in sewage treatment plants. The tephra filter trial was initiated in October and continues to operate.
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6.2.16 The final report detailing the efficacy of the filter at Dannevirke was received in September 2013. The main findings were:
. Removal efficiency was initially high (97%); . Levels of removal were not sustained with efficacy dropping off, where DRP was no longer being removed from the wastewater after about 100 days of operation; . The level of removal from the pilot plant at Dannevirke was about 1/7th of the DRP removal achieved in laboratory trials using the same type of tephra but different wastewater (from Ashhurst);
6.2.17 A primary reason for the change is efficacy of the field trial compared to the previous laboratory trials is the different quality of the effluents used (Ashhurst and Dannevirke wastewater).
6.2.18 Further research has been recommended and this is currently being considered among other priorities.
SUMMARY
PROJECT KEY DELIVERABLES PROGRESS TO DATE
Cross sectional survey work in the south east Ruahines scheme was 40% completed last year. Further survey work in the south east ruahines began Cross sectional survey Fluvial monitoring and again in September with about 20% of the planned work in information to inform gravel research to inform this area for the year completed so far. management and flood control gravel management works. Gravel extraction data continues to be collected and collated on a quarterly basis Information on how river A summer scholarship for a Massey University student to management for flood undertake survey and monitoring in the Kahuterawa has protection and gravel been supported by Horizons. Fluvial Research extraction can be completed in The work will coincide with the initiation of a 10 year a way that provides for other restoration plan for native fish habitat and biodiversity values of waterways e.g. fish values of the area and the initiation of a flood protection habitat scheme in the area. Tools developed by this research portfolio continue to be used on a regular basis. These are the “Dairy Shed Effluent Storage Calculator” and the Town effluent calculator”. Information around wastewater Horizons has supported the on-site wastewater system treatment on land including trials at Rotorua again this year along with many other Informing land treatment dairy farm effluent, onsite funding partners of wastewater wastewater treatment and land treatment of municipal Reporting on a trial of municipal effluent treatment using wastewater. tephra at Dannevirke has been completed. A difference in the effluent quality of Dannevirke wastewater used for the field trial compared to the Ashhurst wastewater effluent used for the lab studies appears to be the key factor in the reduced performance of Tephra in the field trial. A jointly funded project with Landcare research has been established to broaden the calibration of the SednetNZ model to the whole region (previously just calibrated for the Manawatu. Predicting water quality Information on expected water Three management scenarios will be trailed and reported outcomes from the quality results from the SLUI on based on potential variations to the SLUI contract with sustainable land use work under different SLUI MPI. initiative (SLUI) management scenarios The scenarios will incorporate the detailed SLUI whole farm plan information that is available and likely works into the future. Reporting is expected by June 2014.
Jon Roygard FRESHWATER AND SCIENCE MANAGER
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7 Water Monitoring & Research
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW: The water monitoring and research output encompasses groundwater, water allocation (quantity), water quality and biomonitoring. A core component of the activity is the underpinning monitoring programmes, their ongoing delivery and the data capture/analysis and reporting associated with these. Beyond the monitoring there are internal research projects completed by our science team and others. Increasingly there are a large number of collaborative projects with external agencies whereby the regional council’s data sets and expertise are linked with much bigger programmes. The water monitoring and research programme is essential for developing our knowledge and understanding about the water resource. Monitoring results are used to inform a number of management decisions including consent applications, compliance issues and policy development.
7.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE TARGET 1st 2nd 3rd 4th ACTUAL Track changes in the health of the Region’s water 25% 25% 100% resource Inform policy and non-regulatory programme 25% 25% development 100% Assess policy and implementation effectiveness 25% 25% 100%
7.2 Groundwater Activity Summary
Groundwater monitoring programme:
7.2.1 The region’s groundwater monitoring programmes are ongoing measuring water levels, water use, groundwater quality and monitoring for saline intrusion (sea water in the coastal aquifers).
7.2.2 An extensive review of Horizons’ groundwater monitoring network was completed in early 2013. Subsequently the groundwater monitoring programme is currently being restructured to provide a rationalised network of wells that address water availability and water quality on a regional scale, as well as providing more information in the pressure areas identified in the review.
Land use and groundwater / surface water quality:
7.2.3 This project investigates the link between land use and groundwater and surface water quality in the Tararua and Horowhenua groundwater management zones. Regional monitoring for water quality highlights significant issues with nutrient enrichment in both groundwater and surface water systems in these areas, to levels that in some cases breach the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards. The following work is incorporated:
. Massey University PhD and MSc research projects addressing the fate and transport of nutrients in the Upper Manawatu and Mangatainoka catchments; . Auckland University PhD study addressing artificial recharge in the Lake Horowhenua area; and . Horizons’ Coastal Lakes Project. This project aims to improve understanding of the influence of groundwater on water quality of lakes in priority water management zones for the nutrient management rules of the one plan.
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Envirolink and hydrogeology projects:
7.2.4 These projects are designed to further develop and refine our understanding of the geology and hydrogeology of the Region, which is fundamental to the successful management of groundwater. Three projects have been funded by Envirolink advice grants to a total of $30,000 for 2013-2014.
. One of these projects ($5 k) is requesting advice on how Horizons can incorporate monitoring the age of groundwater as part of its standard monitoring programme. . A second project ($5 k) is to provide interpretation on recently analysed stream aging data for the region. Further information on this is presented in the water quality section below. . The third and larger project ($20 k) is to assess the existing geological and hydrogeological information to develop a three dimensional conceptual geological model of the entire Tararua Groundwater management zone, with a particular focus on the Mangatainoka catchment.
7.2.5 Two further $20,000 advice grants are currently being sought to further study water allocation issues in the Horowhenua and Rangitikei groundwater management zones.
Drinking water quality:
7.2.6 A key finding of the comprehensive reporting from the monitoring programmes was that some areas of the region have groundwater that breach drinking water standards for some parameters eg. arsenic. A dedicated project about these water quality issues is being undertaken. This will include communication with and education of relevant parties, including well drillers, water suppliers, public health officers and private well owners.
Santoft Resource Management:
7.2.7 The recent review of groundwater monitoring data identified the Santoft area as having declining groundwater levels due to increased water use for irrigation. This project seeks to inform management of the groundwater resource in the Rangitikei and Turakina groundwater management zones to maximise the availability of water for use while ensuring the resource is managed efficiently and sustainably.
7.2.8 Initiatives include the establishment of a community water user group to facilitate communication between water users and the Regional Council and a dedicated resource management project to address water allocation and declining groundwater levels. The first meeting of the Santoft Water User Group was held during the reporting period and a second meeting is planned in November.
7.2.9 The science team are seeking further funding for a project via Envirolink to fund a study of the conceptual hydrogeological model for the area.
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SUMMARY
PROJECT KEY DELIVERABLES PROGRESS TO DATE
Groundwater Audit of existing network Network audit is currently underway and the programme is being Monitoring Network refined to meet national guidelines and standards Review New monitoring programme Programme to be launched July 2014 Fate and transport of nutrients Progressing to schedule research Water quality sampling and age tracer sampling is Land use and scheduled for January 2014 groundwater / surface Artificial recharge in the Lake On track for delivery in 2014 water quality Horowhenua catchment Coastal lakes project * Contribution from groundwater – currently in the project scoping stage Conceptual geological model $20,000 Envirolink grant secured of the Mangatainoka 3D geological model and report to be provided by GNS catchment Science December 2013. Low flow age dating report $5,000 Envirolink grant secured Envirolink and Preliminary results available, final report to be provided by hydrogeology projects GNS Science December 2013 Presentation to Environment Committee, December 2013. Groundwater monitoring $5,000 Envirolink grant secured for advice from GNS review – incorporation of age Science dating Brochures and information Currently in draft packs to well owners Drinking water report Presentation of drinking water report early 2014 Drinking water project Presentations, workshops, Presentation to staff and Council early 2014 communication to relevant External workshops and presentations ongoing throughout parties 2014. Santoft water user group Group formed August 2013 Last meeting held November 2013 Santoft Resource Conceptual hydrogeological Currently seeking $20,000 Envirolink advice grant to fund Management model this project Santoft resource management Scoping for this project is scheduled for early – mid 2014. project * Collaborative Horizons science team project
7.3 Water Allocation Activity Summary
Water allocation monitoring programmes:
7.3.1 Monitoring programmes for surface and groundwater quantity are ongoing. As the summer months approach the level of flows monitoring will increase to ensure accurate information is available for day to day decisions around water use restrictions. Over the winter period the team have continued to analyse the information that has been gathered on actual water use and are close to completing a report on the relationship between consented water use and actual water use in the upper Manawatu catchment.
National water metering regulations:
7.3.2 During the reporting period Horizons hosted officials from the Ministry for the Environment to demonstrate Horizons water metering programme and the water matters system for managing the information produced from this. This work is a part of a national initiative by MfE to ensure nationally consistent reporting of water use information as required by the national water metering regulations.
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Dairy Farm Water use project:
7.3.3 Horizons is supporting a DairyNZ and Massey University PhD study into water use on dairy farms. The study will focus on stock drinking water requirements and requirements for other on-farm use e.g. dairy shed washdown. The study was initiated within the region during the reporting period and the student is currently contacting farmers to obtain case study farms. The aim is to work with over 30 farmers in each of three regions (Canterbury, Waikato and Horizons).
Water allocation status:
7.3.4 Over the 2013-14 year the science team are undertaking an audit of the information on allocation status throughout the region, the initial phase of this work is being completed in the upper Manawatu and is expected to be completed in December.
7.4 Water Quality Activity Summary
Water quality monitoring programmes:
7.4.1 Monitoring programmes for surface and groundwater quality are ongoing. A key programme within this is the State of Environment and discharge monitoring programme that measures upstream and downstream of the major discharges in the region as well as other State of Environment water quality monitoring sites. A summary report of the some of the nutrient information from this network (state and trends) has been completed during the reporting period. This report formally documents the analysis that was utilised to inform the State of Environment report earlier in the year. Copies of the report are available and if Councillors would like further information on this report and its contents a presentation can be organised for the next Environment Committee meeting. The team are now focusing on compiling information for the state of the Manawatu river presentation for the Manawatu River Leaders’ Forum. Following that work it is planned that detailed water quality information for each catchment of the region will be documented in graphical form and compiled into a report to make water quality information readily accessible for all who are interested.
PNCC wastewater discharge investigations:
7.4.2 Following the joint monitoring investigation by Horizons and Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) over the 2011-12 summer a further year of monitoring was completed over the 2012-13 summer. This monitoring was to investigate the impact of PNCC wastewater discharge on the water quality of the Manawatu River. During the reporting period Horizons science team coordinated the peer review of the report from this work by Horizons and NIWA experts. The report was then utilised by PNCC to inform their decision making around the consent review process that is ongoing.
Contact recreation monitoring;
7.4.3 Contact recreation monitoring for the 2013-14 bathing season will be initiated in November. The programme will monitor 16 sites across the region, with the results of the weekly monitoring presented on Horizons Safe Swim Spots web page.
7.4.4 A report on the monitoring results for the previous season has been completed during the reporting period.
Lake monitoring:
7.4.5 Options for a lake monitoring programme within the region in relation to the nutrient management rules of the One Plan have been developed during the reporting period. Of the 19 identified lakes within priority zones for the nutrient management rules, no lakes were monitored for trophic lake index in 2012-13. The trophic lake index is a standard measure of lake status and includes nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorophyll A and visual clarity.
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7.4.6 In July 2013, lake monitoring was reinitiated on Lake Horowhenua). This compliments the water quality monitoring, lake level and outlet flow monitoring upgrades for Lake Horowhenua for 2012-13. A lake monitoring bouy was also deployed in Lake Horowhenua in July 2013. Monthly monitoring is now underway in this lake. In early 2014 staff intend to initiate further monitoring of four lakes in the region (Duddings, Whiritoa, Pauri and Koitiata). The first three of these lakes have been selected due to their recreational use. The Koitiata lake has been selected as it is in a catchment of interest from a groundwater management perspective.
Lake Horowhenua Accord:
7.4.7 On August 4th 2013 Horizons, signed alongside four other partners the Lake Horowhenua Accord. (He Hokioi Rerenga Tahi). The five signatories to this document are the Lake Horowhenua Trust, Horowhenua District Council, the Lake Domain Board, Department of Conservation and Horizons Regional Council. Following the signing of the Accord these groups have met on several occasions to plan and implement the agreement that is contained within the Lake Horowhenua Accord.
7.4.8 During the reporting period the report on the fish monitoring that was completed earlier in the year has been completed. Also further implementation work (stream fencing and planting) has been completed. Work on the design of the fish pass has been advanced, including working with experts in fish passage from NIWA to ensure an effective design.
Addressing water quality issues in Lakes Pauri and Wiritoa:
7.4.9 Lakes Pauri and Wiritoa are within a priority zone for nutrient management (Kaitoke lakes). Horizons has had a history of freshwater implementation work in the catchment working with landowners to complete riparian fencing and planting. Earlier in the year, Horizons successfully applied for a medium advice Envirolink grant (20 K) to engage scientists from NIWA to draw together information from historic investigations and other relevant research into the water quality of Lakes Pauri and Wiritoa and to identify options for addressing these water quality issues in a report. The report from NIWA will be incorporated into future restoration planning and communication with the community. Following a field visit to the lakes by NIWA scientists and Horizons staff earlier in the year, further monitoring of the lakes was undertaken. The report has been completed.The main findings of this report were:
. The trophic lake index for Lake Pauri changed from 4.19 (eutrophic) in 1972 to around 7.2 in 2008 (hypertrophic) making it the one of the worst lakes in terms of water quality amongst monitored lakes in New Zealand (however, the 2008 result is only from summer monitoring). . The trophic lake index for Lake Wiritoa changed from 3.94 (mesotrophic) in 1972 to around 4.9 in 2008 (eutrophic). . Surface water nutrients in Lake Wiritoa are around 10% of what is measured in Lake Pauri. . The macrophyte communities in both Lakes have changed over time from largely pond-weed type communities in the 1970s to dense exotic macrophyte dominance in the 2000s. . The report also includes recommended actions and remediation options for the lake as well as recommendations for monitoring the Lakes.
Aging the water in the region’s rivers:
7.4.10 During the extreme low flow conditions experienced earlier in the year additional monitoring was completed to better understand the state of water quality during low flow conditions (when rivers are most vulnerable). An additional component to this monitoring was aging of the water. The low flow conditions provide an opportunity for sampling the rivers when the groundwater contribution is at its greatest proportion. Additional sampling completed at this time included tritium concentration and nitrogen isotope analysis, both being indicators of the age of the water. This is critical information for defining the time it takes for water to move from farms and other parts of the landscape into rivers. In the Lake Taupo/Rotorua areas groundwater ages have been determined to be in the order of several decades and up to around 80 years. Over 100 samples were collected earlier in the year and unlike the other surface water quality tests that are undertaken, the Tritium samples can be stored and analysed at a later date, should budget become available to do so. The approach to analysis has been to send an initial batch of 29 samples from across the region for sampling and to evaluate the findings from that to determine the value of additional samples being processed for various parts of the region.
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7.4.11 Horizons has successfully applied for a small advice Envirolink grant (5k) to engage scientists from GNS to produce a report providing an interpretation of the results from the 29 samples analysed for water age and the initial results are expected to be available in November. A presentation on the results of these samples will made to the committee as a part of this item.
SUMMARY
PROJECT KEY DELIVERABLES PROGRESS TO DATE
Continuous river water quality Continuous water quality monitoring of sediment, pH and monitoring dissolved oxygen continues within the establish measurement networks for these parameters Monthly river water quality Programme ongoing. Additional temporary sites sampling via the State of established in the Manawatu focusing on areas where River water quality Environment and discharge works are being undertaken through the Freshwater monitoring programme monitoring network Clean-up fund. Report on the state and trends of nutrients information from this network completed PNCC wastewater monitoring Peer review process by NIWA and Horizons scientists programme peer reviewed completed during the reporting period. Contact recreation monitoring 2013-14 monitoring to be initiated in November at 16 Contact recreation completed and reported via sites with results to be posted on Horizons safe swim monitoring programme websites and annual report spots website Annual report for the previous season complete Lake Horowhenua monitoring Monthly sampling of Lake Horowhenua reinitiated in July programme upgrades 2013. completed Lake bouy deployed and operational from July 2013.
Lakes monitoring, Lake Horowhenua Accord Accord document signed by Accord partners in August reporting and informing Several meetings of accord group held during the lake restoration reporting period. programmes Public meeting also held. Implementation work completed (as reported in Freshwater implementation section). Lake Pauri and Whiritoa $20,000 Envirolink grant secured earlier in the year restoration options report Report completed during the reporting period. Low flow age dating report $5,000 Envirolink grant secured complete Preliminary results available, final report to be provided by GNS Science December 2013 Aging the water of the Presentation to Environment Committee, December region’s rivers 2013.
7.5 The Biomonitoring Activity Summary
7.5.1 The biomonitoring programme contains the invertebrates, periphyton, cyanobacteria, didymo and freshwater fish monitoring programmes.
Invertebrates:
7.5.2 Analysis and reporting of the results from last season’s monitoring has been considerably progressed during the reporting period and is expected to be complete in December 2013. The report will provide results from last season in terms of state as well as the long term trends for the sites that have been monitored. Results from the report will be presented in the next Environment Committee report.
7.5.3 Preparation is underway for the 2013-14 monitoring season that will be initiated when flow conditions are suitable.
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Periphyton monitoring programme:
7.5.4 The monthly periphyton monitoring project is designed to assist with State of Environment reporting and informing processes around setting water quality limits for nutrients to control periphyton growth. In particular, the programme aims to improve understanding the relationships between nutrient levels, flow and periphyton levels. The data from this programme is also being used to inform national research and policy projects.
7.5.5 An additional five sites have been established in the Mangatainoka River catchment as part of both the monthly monitoring programme and as part of a new twice a month programme focusing on this catchment. This additional monitoring has been put in place to better understand the periphyton issue of the Mangatainoka catchment. The Mangatainoka catchment has several initiatives that provide additional information around nutrient management to control periphyton growth including the Environmental Farm Plans project of the Freshwater Clean-up Fund. The Massey PhD studies into fate and transport of nutrients from farms to rivers and the structural geology project which is underway with GNS to understand groundwater flow paths. The Managatainoka is also known to have cyanobacteria issues and one popular site for recreation is known to have a high prevalence of toxic cyanobacteria during the summer months. These five sites will also gather additional information on cyanobacteria twice a month.
7.5.6 Horizons periphyton monitoring programme has provided information into the science component of the development of the national objectives framework. The programme was rated as the best in the country for measuring periphyton in rivers, increasingly other regional councils are undertaking periphyton monitoring consistent with Horizons programme. A report on the analysis completed for the national objectives framework is expected to be released in November.
Cyanobacteria Monitoring:
7.5.7 Benthic cyanobacteria in rivers are an emerging issue. This is of particular concern in rivers that are used as drinking water sources or for recreational activities as cyanobacteria can contain neurotoxins. An initial study by Horizons in 2011 identified variable cyanobacteria coverage and toxin concentrations. As a follow up to this Horizons completed weekly sampling at nine sites and monthly sampling at four sites throughout the Manawatu Catchment to investigate the potential parameters influencing cyanobacterial occurrence and abundance. This information was used to inform the State of Environment Report.
7.5.8 Horizons staff have also collected river samples for cyanobacteria from river sites over the last 18 months for a PhD study of Cyanobacteria growth determinants and genetic composition. This study is being supported financially and in-kind by multiple regional councils including Horizons and is being coordinated by Victoria University and Cawthron Institute. Sampling for this work has now been completed and some results of this work were presented at the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society conference.
7.5.9 Earlier in the year Horizons successfully secured $10,000 from Envirolink for Cawthron scientists to undertake initial analysis of the data sets collected during the last financial year. Reporting from this work is expected to be completed by December 2013. Additional funding has been applied for to complete a more detailed analysis of this data.
Didymo monitoring:
7.5.10 Surveillance and monitoring for Didymo is undertaken throughout the region's rivers in November, February and May. Monitoring was completed during May 2013 and all results have returned negative. November 2013 monitoring is on track and will be completed before the end of November. Results are likely to be fully returned early in 2014. The Didymo monitoring is lead by Horizons in conjunction with long-term management partners from Greater Wellington Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and Fish and Game (Wellington and Hawke’s Bay).
Freshwater fish monitoring:
7.5.11 State of the Environment monitoring for freshwater fish for the 2013-14 year started in June 2013 with the beginning of brown mudfish monitoring. This monitoring discovered the presence of two new populations of brown mudfish in the Horizons region and confirmed the continued presence of brown mudfish in four locations. A report on this monitoring period has been drafted and will be available in the new year.
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7.5.12 Surveys of the State of the Environment sites and the Site of Significance Aquatic sites is likely to start again in December.
SUMMARY
PROJECT KEY DELIVERABLES PROGRESS TO DATE
Analysis of information collected in 2012-13 year 7.6 State of Environment significantly advanced and report likely to be available in information on the health of the December 2013 Invertebrates region’s water ways (both state This year’s monitoring to be initiated when flow and trend) conditions are suitable.
Monthly monitoring is ongoing An additional five sites have been added to the Mangatainoka to enhance knowledge of periphyton and cyanobacteria in this catchment. These sites will be monitored twice monthly to get a better understanding of State of Environment the periphyton and cyanobacteria growth in this key information and knowledge of catchment for nutrient management research in the Periphyton the relationship between flow, region. nutrients and periphyton growth around the region Horizons’ periphyton information has been used to inform the national objectives framework development. The data sets were rated as the best in the country for this work and increasingly other regional councils are undertaking monitoring in a similar manner. A report on the analysis is likely to be released publically by MfE in November.
Samples provided to Cawthron Institute in support of a PhD study into growth determinants and genetics Horizons investigation results from last year being Cyanobacteria Benthic cyanobacteria analysed by Cawthorn via a 10K Envirolink grant secured earlier in the year. Further funding being sought from Envirolink for further study of cyanobacteria data from the region.
Monitoring occurs 3 times per year (May, Nov and Feb) Didymo May monitoring round complete (all samples negative November monitoring round on track for delivery
State of the Environment monitoring for the 2013-14 year initiated in June 2013 Monitoring programme Freshwater Fish Brown mudfish monitoring located two new sites and completed and reported on confirmed presence has been maintained at four more Further monitoring likely to get underway in December.
James Lambie SCIENCE COORDINATOR
Jon Roygard FRESHWATER AND SCIENCE MANAGER
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8 Environmental Research and Monitoring
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW: The Environmental research and monitoring output focuses on reporting the information collected through the science and monitoring programme through State of Environment reporting, policy effectiveness monitoring and public information provision. This activity draws information from across the organisation to make it assessable and understandable for a range of audiences. The policy effectiveness component includes work to measure the effectiveness of various policies, strategies and programmes that Horizons undertakes, and to provide input and assessment of the various policies, strategies that Horizons are required to undertake by central government. This activity also includes some collaborative work with other Regional Councils, the Ministry for Environment and others for environmental reporting. A key output of this activity last year was the State of Environment report. This activity also includes the air monitoring and research programme.
8.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
QUARTERLY PERIOD MEASURE ACTUAL TARGET 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Complete the State of Environment report in 2012-13 100% Completed 100% year Undertake policy effectiveness monitoring 25% 25% 100% Review environmental indicators 50% 50% 100% Monitor Regional Pest Management Strategy 70% 70% 100% effectiveness Provide environmental information service to the public 25% 25% 100% Monitor and report on environmental health (air quality) 25% 25% 100%
8.2 Activity Summary
TARGET: Prepare the State of the Environment Report for the Region
State of Environment Report:
8.2.1 The State of Environment report has been completed and was publically released in May 2013. Over the reporting period the communication with various agencies following the reports release has continued. This has included providing presentations to Council meetings of many of the District Councils and meeting with District Council staff to discuss the report.
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Left the Cover of the SoE report and Right part of the info-trail between Te Manawa and the Manawatu River.
TARGET: Undertake policy effectiveness monitoring
8.2.2 The Policy effectiveness projects for this year include
. Assiting with development of the national objectives framework and revised national policy statement for freshwater management. . the work on the predicting future outcomes from the Sustainable Land Use initiative (as reported in the Land research and monitoring section of this report); and . Air quality modelling for the Taihape Airshed
National water reform work programme
8.2.3 Over the reporting period a Horizons staff member (Jon Roygard) has continued to participate in the National [Water Quality] Objectives Framework work programme being coordinated by the Ministry for Environment. This work is a part of the water reform work programme at MfE that has been included with the revised national policy statement announced in November.
8.2.4 Horizons Science and Policy staff participated in a case study Council in a Ministry for Environment (MfE) project to assess how Regional Councils complete water quality and quantity accounting. This work is a part of the water reform work programme at MfE. A draft was reviewed during the reporting period and a final report is expected to be released in November.
TARGET: Review environmental indicators
8.2.5 Horizons work on environmental indicators over the last year has been wide ranging with a focus on State of Environment reporting and for the national biodiversity indicators project as reported in other sections of this agenda.
8.2.6 During the reporting period work has focused on finalising technical reporting on the State of Environment report and developing new reporting score cards for use in presentations around the state of the Manawatu River for the Manawatu River Leaders Forum and the Oroua Catchment Care Group meetings in November.
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TARGET: Monitor Regional Pest Management Strategy effectiveness
8.2.7 The pest management strategy support and effectiveness monitoring work is focusing on projects such as plant and animal pest management in Totara Reserve and the revision of the Regional Pest Management strategies. These work programmes are reported on in the Biodiversity Monitoring and Research section of this Agenda.
TARGET: Provide environmental information service to the public
Provision of environmental information:
8.2.8 Provision of environmental information to the public and external agencies is ongoing as requested. A range of information requests has been received and processed during the reporting period. Considerable data transfers to external research projects have been completed during the reporting period, primarily to projects in collaboration with the external agencies. Information provision during the reporting period included provision of:
. Periphyton data to three different national research programmes being completed by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric research (NIWA) and to DairyNZ (for the Mangatainoka catchment); . Cyanobacteria data to Cawthron Institute for a joint research project; Biodiversity data to NZ Petroleum and Minerals, Ernslaw One (to inform their operational plan), PNCC (to inform their Biodiversity Strategy) and ScanPower; . Land use information to Manawatu District Council; and . Digital elevation information to GNS to inform joint groundwater research projects.
8.2.9 Website delivery of information has continued through the Air matters, WaterMatters and Land and Water Aotearoa website (LAWA).
LAWA Webste:
8.2.10 The Land and Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website replaces (rebrands) the Land and Water New Zealand website and is a project lead by Horizons in collaboration with other Regional Councils, Unitary Authorities, Cawthron Institute, Massey University and the Ministry for the Environment.
8.2.11 The website presents the state and trends in water quality for approximately 900 monitoring sites across the country, combining monitored by Regional and Unitary Councils and sites monitored in the National Rivers Water Quality Network (operated by NIWA).
8.2.12 Horizons staff completed analysis of state and trend information for all regional council data at the end of August to provide an update to the information on the website. The further step required to include the National Rivers Water Quality Network sites provides an opportunity to further automate the processing of state and trends for the website. Work on this automation is currently underway.
8.2.13 Horizons staff have continued working with the other Regional Councils and Unitary Authorities to ensure provision of their content for the updated website is complete. Horizons staff have also been working closely with the other partners in the project providing technical input as required. A soft launch of the new LAWA website is programmed for December with a full launch early next year.
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TARGET: Monitor and report on environmental health (air quality)
Horizons Monitoring of Air Quality:
8.2.14 Following initial monitoring of winter average daily concentrations of Particulate Matter under 10 microns in diameter (PM10) in11 towns and cities across the region between 2001 and 2003, Horizons gazetted two airsheds, Taihape and Taumarunui. These towns recorded sufficiently high average daily PM10 concentrations to potentially effect human health and so warranted further investigation.
8.2.15 Horizons started its continuous air quality monitoring in April 2006 measuring PM10 via two Beta Attenuation Monitors (BAM), one based in Palmerston North (our largest population centre) and the other based in Taihape. The BAM from the Palmerston North site was relocated to Taumarunui in July 2009. The real time monitoring data from these monitoring sites is available publicly via Horizons AirQuality Matters website. The website includes some further information about air quality. The AirQuality Matters system is built to automatically notify staff via email of exceedances of pre-selected PM10 thresholds. The AirQuality Matters system and a report of the monitoring results to date were presented to the Environment Committee in June 2013.
Air Quality response strategy:
8.2.16 In July 2013, Horizons was again successful in obtaining a Medium Advice Grant from Envirolink to develop a strategic response to exceedences of National Environmental Standards for Air in July 2013. This grant will be used to carry out modelling work for Taihape to ensure Horizons is well placed in the event exceedances do occur in the Taumarunui and Taihape airsheds. The work will include the development of material for a public awareness campaign. A similar Report was produced for Taumarunui last year. A presentation on this report was provided by Dr Emily Wilton to the June 2013 Environment Committee meeting.
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SUMMARY
PROJECT KEY DELIVERABLES PROGRESS TO DATE
Continue communicating the Presentations have been made to a range of groups and results of the State of the organisations including many of the district councils. Environment Report State of Environment Ongoing information collection Ongoing through a range of programmes Report and analysis to inform future State of Environment reporting
Input into the National policy Staff have been involved in the reference group for the for freshwater management development of the national objectives framework revision Undertake policy Sustainable Land Use Initiative Modelling work with Landcare Research has been initiated. effectiveness reporting (SLUI) outcomes This jointly funded work is reported in the Land Research and Monitoring section of this agenda.
Clear and understandable Work during the reporting period has focused on water quality indicators for developing scorecard indicators for various water quality public presentations attributes to be used in public presentations Review environmental indicators
Information provision to the Information provision to external organisations has public and external agencies continued throughout the reporting period. Several large data transfers have been undertaken, these include providing information to agencies developing various strategies and to research organisations working on Provide environmental national science programmes. information Information provision via Horizons air quality matters and water quality matters websites websites continue to provide up to date information on a daily basis.
Review the Regional Plant As reported in the Biodiversity monitoring and research Pest Management Pest Management Strategy section of this report. Strategy Effectiveness
Monitoring and report Air quality monitoring and Air quality monitoring continues in the Taihape and on environmental reporting Taumarunui airsheds health (air quality) Air quality modelling for the Funding has been secured from Envirolink and modelling Taihape airshed work will be completed and reported early next year
Jon Roygard FRESHWATER AND SCIENCE MANAGER
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9 Biodiversity Research & Monitoring
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW: The biodiversity research and monitoring output focuses on improving our knowledge and understanding of the Region’s biodiversity through a combination of in-field data collection, use of remotely derived information, data analysis and application of ecological theory. The output covers terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. Knowledge and understanding developed in this output informs the priority habitat protection output. This close relationship between the two outputs ensures that expenditure on priority habitat protection is directed to the places and programmes that will maximise the desired outcomes. Research and monitoring programmes are also undertaken to inform the biosecurity programmes in the Region to ensure continuous improvement in the efficacy of programmes.
9.1 Outputs (What we achieved)
QUARTERLY PERIOD YTD MEASURE TARGET % 1st 2nd 3rd 4th ACTUAL Track changes in the health of the Region’s
biodiversity Inform policy and habitat protection programme
development Assess policy and implementation effectiveness
9.2 Activity Summary
TARGET: Track changes in the health of the Region’s biodiversity
Totara Reserve Regional Park Pest Management Outcomes Monitoring:
9.2.1 As part of the package of preserving and enhancing the natural heritage of the Totara Reserve Regional Park, Horizons undertakes monitoring to assess the effectiveness of invasive weed control and pest animal control. This is done either by assessing changes in the abundances of the pests themselves, or changes in certain indicators of the quality of the natural heritage asset of the Regional Park.
9.2.2 Four specific areas of monitoring activity are scheduled to occur over 2013-2014, these are; . Reporting on the extent of invasive weeds - comparing an assessment from 2006 to an assessment from 2012 to determine the effectiveness of weed control over that period. . Assessing and reporting on the current possum population - using wax tag indices to determine what the present population relative abundance is and comparing this to target levels. . Assessing and reporting on the abundance of rats – using tunnels to track rat activity indices to determine if the size of the rat population is a threat to successful breeding of native birds. . Assessing and reporting on the abundance of native birds – using 5-minute bird counts to determine the relative conspicuousness of native birds compared to last year’s base-line work.
9.2.3 During this reporting period (July 2013 to October 2013), the field work for the possum population monitoring was undertaken. Staff are presently quality-checking the assessment by field-operatives and collating the data in preparation for analysis. It is expected that preliminary results will be presented in the next Environment Committee Report followed by a formal report in the new year.
9.2.4 Horizons are on track to initiate the rat monitoring and bird monitoring in November. The findings of the bird monitoring are likely to be communicated to the Environment Committee in February. The rat monitoring field work will not be complete until March / April 2014. Reporting of these results are likely to be communicated May or June of next year.
9.2.5 The invasive weed report is expected to be completed by December 2013
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Regionally Consistent Biodiversity Monitoring and Information Sharing:
9.2.6 This area of activity covers a range of projects that, together, lead the Regional Councils toward standardised monitoring and reporting of biodiversity and biosecurity information. By working collaboratively on the collection, management and reporting of biodiversity and biosecurity statistics and trends, the Regions are able to make efficiency gains by (for example) sharing information about species that cross regional boundaries, sharing the costs of developing common data management platforms, and sharing the developing measurement methodologies and costs of reporting regional statistics to the community.
9.2.7 Four specific areas of activity are scheduled to occur over 2013-2014, these are; . Regional Council Biodiversity Indicators project. . Biodata Guides Project. . Biodata Services Stack Project . Dataversity. Further information on these four projects are shown as described in sections below.
Regional Biodiversity Indicators
9.2.8 In 2010, the Biodiversity Working Group (BDWG) agreed on a course of action to derive standardised indicators for biodiversity monitoring and reporting that all regions can use. From this agreement arose the “Regional Council Biodiversity Indicators Project” which is an Envirolink-funded Tools project to identify standardised indicators that allow regions to monitor and report under a common set of methods. The BDWG is made up of representatives from each of the regional councils and unitary authorities who have expertise in biodiversity management. The Biodiversity Working Group gives technical, strategic, and policy advice to the Bio-Managers Group (BMG) who in turn provide advice to the Regional Council Chief Executives forum.
9.2.9 The BDWG has met in August to discuss the implementation of some of the indicators which potentially are easy to do off the back of existing information. Unfortunately the earthquake in Wellington caused an abrupt end to the meeting and no firm resolutions were made. The group re-convenes in December to continue the discussion.
Biodata Guides Project
9.2.10 The Biodata Guides project is a collaborative project between regional councils, district councils, Crown Research Institutes, Department of Conservation (DOC), and non-governmental organisations to develop guidance for regional councils to cost effectively improved biological data management practices and systems for managing data. Horizons has been the lead agency for the project by securing funding from the Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information Systems (TFBIS) fund (administered by DOC).
9.2.11 Over the reporting period, further development to the guidance document was made, and a draft was successfully used at the Dataversity Workshop in October. Final touches are being added to the guidance and the project is on track for completion in December.
Biodata Services Stack Project
9.2.12 The Biodata Services Stack (BSS) project seeks to determine the technical infrastructure that Regional Councils and others will need if they are to seamlessly share biodiversity and biosecurity data with each other. The project will build on successes already demonstrated by Horizons through initiatives such as the Land and Water Aotearoa website. The domain of biological data management is as big as the number of taxa that are being monitored, so to break the project into Manageable chuncks there is a workstream on a freshwater case study (focusing on fish and/or macro-invertebrates) and a workstream on a terrestrial case study (focusing on native birds and/or weeds).
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9.2.13 The ultimate outcome is to reduce the transaction costs associated with sharing data. A current case in example where the presence of agreed data sharing tools and standards could save Horizons time and money is in the search for any relevant bird monitoring and pest management data associated with habitats in and around Totara Reserve collected by other parties. Presently such a search requires calling various people in DOC, MDC, PNCC, contractors, the Ornithological Society, Forest and Bird, only to discover data thought to exist, does not exist, or has been lost, or is in formats that are not easily analysed or merged with Horizons data. This requires a lot of effort that is wasted. Whereas, if there were a nationally agreed index of who has collected what data, where, when, how, and in what format it is in – the search would be much more efficient. An index or data catalogue is one such service the Biodata Services Stack project has identified is needed and something that the project will attempt to build (within the confines of the relevant workstreams).
9.2.14 Over the reporting period, the terms of reference for the project leadership and governance, and the terms of reference for the workstreams have been drafted. These are in the process of review with participating Regional councils (Hawkes Bay, Auckland, Southland, Greater Wellington, and Horizons).
Dataversity
9.2.15 Dataversity is a community of like-minded scientists, resource managers, policy analysts, and information technology specialists who are passionate about finding solutions to barriers to sharing data. This community serves as the think-tank and peer review for projects such as the Biodata Guides, and the Biodata Services Stack consists of people from a range of agencies that include the Regional Councils, DOC, Ministry for primary industries (MPI), Ministry for Environment (MfE), Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), Statistics NZ, Crown research institutes (e.g. Landcare Research), Non Governmental Oraganisations (NGOs) and the private sector. Dataversity is officially governed by terms of reference reporting to the Biodiversity Working Group and has a steering team consisting of people form DOC, Landcare, NIWA, Regional Council (Greater Wellington and Horizons), City Council (Nelson), and private sector. Dataversity is chaired by James Lambie from Horizons Freshwater and Science Team. Horizons manages the finances fro the Dataversity Workshop which receives funding from many sources.
9.2.16 Over the reporting, Dataversity held its annual workshop (October). At the workshop, the Biodata Guides project was applied to a number of existing data management cases to demonstrate the usefulness of the guide in highlighting how those cases could improve their performance. This was particularly useful for Horizons where the CADDIS database was independently peer-reviewed (for free!). The review identified that we needed to determine what the licensing agreement is for the software and get current bugs fixed instead of working around them. The peer review also identified that Horizons has effective protocols for data entry that would be useful to other Councils who have CADDIS but are not using it as effectively. Significant progress was also made to the BSS project with potential user-cases for the workstreams being identified.
9.2.17 As a visual representation of how the relevant groups and projects fit together, Figure 2 displays the relationship of Dataversity to the Biodiversity Working Group and the Bio Mangers Group. Figure 3 displays the relationship between the Biodata Guides, the biodiversity Indicators Project, and the Biodata Services Stack project.
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Figure 2: Dataversity in relation to the BioManagers Group (a Regional Council Special Interest Group or SIG) and the Regional Council Chief Executives’ forum.
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Figure 3: The relationship between the Biodata Guides, The Biodiversity Indicators, and the Biodata Services Stack projects.
TARGET: Inform policy and habitat protection programme development
Forest Fragment and Wetlands Programmes:
9.2.18 Among the non-regulatory tools to protect and preserve indigenous biological diversity in the region, Horizons has programmes that aim to actively manage 200 high priority bush remnants and 100 high priority wetlands on private land. At the time of publishing the recent State of the Environment Report (May 2013) there was known to be more than 700 bush remnants and more than 370 wetland remnants outside the DOC estate. These figures are based on sites for which a good deal of information has been collected using Horizons’ Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) protocols for bush and wetlands. There are further sites known to Horizons where the quality of the information is not as good (for instance there are over 400 wetlands listed in the wetlands prioritisation spread sheet) and further work is needed to identify whether these sites are a priority for active management. Due to the over-subscription of sites compared to the number of sites that can feasibly be managed within budget, Horizons has devised prioritisation systems for bush remnants and wetlands to determine which sites get actively managed. These prioritisation systems are based on the extent of the site, its representation in terms of historic extent, its contribution to the extent of similar sites that are left, and its habitat and structural diversity. For bush remnants the quality of the understory and pest burden are also taken into consideration.
9.2.19 This activity supports and adds value to the non-regulatory “Top 200 Bush Remnants” and “Top 100 Wetlands” by;
. Maintaining standardised field protocols for ecological data collection; . Commissioning field surveys; . Entering, maintaining, and analysing ecological data; . Reviewing and maintaining the validity of the prioritisation process;
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. Running data through that process and providing recommendations independently of the staff who implement them; . Publishing data and serving specific information requests relating to known remnants of indigenous habitat with the aim to capitalise on data re-use.
9.2.20 The main activities scheduled for 2013-2014 are to;
. Re-evaluate the current systems for managing the data so that statistics on management priorities are more easily produced. . Continue to assess sites for their potential value, on a site by site basis as requested by GEM staff or landowners. . Deliver a summary report on the Tararua Bush Remnants Survey . Hui for Waiouru Wetlands
Tararua Survey:
9.2.21 Over the summer for 2010-2011, Horizons undertook a large-scale exercise to visit remnants of indigenous forest in the Tararua District that were identified using Ecosat (satellite) imagery and aerial photographs. The collected findings of the Tararua Survey - summary statistics on the number of sites assessed and, their quality – has still to be reported to the Tararua Community. This report has been requested by the Akitio Scheme members. Over the current reporting period, the report has been drafted. It is expected to be complete in December.
Waiouru Wetlands:
9.2.22 A survey was commissioned over the summer of 2012-2013 to determine the significance of a series of complex wetland environments immediately north of Raketepauma (south of Waiouru). These wetlands are situated in the headwaters of the Hautapu Catchment which is a focus catchment for the freshwater implementation (waterway enhancement) work of Horizons. The report from that survey concluded that these Waiouru wetland complexes are a significant ecological asset and they fit Horizons criteria for “priority A” wetlands. The sites are so vast that the non-regulatory programme for “Top-100 Wetlands” would be over-subscribed if Horizons were to offer assistance to protect these wetlands all at once. Horizons relies on the good will of the landowners to ensure these wetlands remain protected from development. To maintain a positive working relationship with the landowners, the contractor who completed the wetland survey has voluntarily offered to present the findings of the survey to them. This meeting is to be held early to mid 2014 (subject to landowner and venue availability).
TARGET: Assess policy and implementation effectiveness
One Plan Implementation and Info Requests:
9.2.23 The Environment Court's decision on the Land Use Activities and Indigenous Biodiversity chapter and Schedule E (the list of threatened, rare, and at-risk indigenous habitat types) of the One Plan has given Horizons clear direction for the regulation certain activities, such as vegetation clearance, significantly affect the Region’s indigenous biological diversity. Horizons has committed to providing an RMA advice and information requests service for making sure the One Plan biodiversity rules are easily understood and to give advice on whether a consent is required under those rules.
9.2.24 The main activities scheduled for 2013-2014 are to;
. Continue to provide information on known remnants of indigenous habitats to landowners and consent applicants. . Undertake site visits for potential resource consent applicants (particularly private landowners) for advice on consents triggering the biodiversity rules. . Continue to assist the Policy Team implement the One Plan biodiversity rules. . Assist in the development of planting guides.
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9.2.25 Work over the reporting period includes further input on the guidance notes for Schedule E and a possible training programme for staff seeking to up-skill themselves on the biodiversity rules and the native flora of the Region. Two formal site visits were undertaken to provide advice to landowners.
9.2.26 In July, seed funding and a list of native plants for Horizons’ Region was provided to NatureSpace http://naturespace.org.nz/resource-centre/preparing-restoration-plan with the view of developing on-line guidance for restoration planting.
Pest Management Strategy Support:
9.2.27 Horizons’ Pest Plant Management Strategy (RPPMS) is presently under review. At the same time, we are expecting the National Policy Direction (NPD) for Biosecurity (driven by the Ministry for Primary Industries) to be released and this will necessitate a re-shape of both RPPMS and the Pest Animals Management Strategy (RPAMS) - possibly into a combined regional pest management plan. As part of preparing regional pest management plans, the costs and benefits of pest management must be understood, as well as the relevance of regional council intervention, and an examination of who pays. Once a plan is formed, successful and cost-effective implementation requires review of pest control practices and finding ways of doing things better and/or cheaper. This project acknowledges there is a dedicated role for scientists to assist pest management operational staff with the continuous improvement of pest management and monitoring throughout the implementation and review cycle. This activity links directly to the Environmental Reporting and Education Activity for Pest Management Strategy Effectiveness Monitoring.
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9.2.28 The main activities scheduled for 2013-2014 are to;
. Continue to review the Pest Plant Management Strategy and to develop a regional pest management plan in line with the NPD. . Commission science projects that support informed pest management as requested by GEM Pest Animals and Pest Plants teams. . Facilitate the continuation / completion of current science projects that support informed pest management – the present list of active projects being: - The effective management of woody legumes in the Rangipo Desert; - The use of the fur industry to help control the migration possums from DOC estate
Review of RPPMS:
9.2.29 Initially the staff believed this review would not need to result in a full scale strategic change. However, it has become clear that the Biosecurity Act amendment and NPD may demand the need for deeper accounting of the costs and benefits of pest management practices if we wish to co-opt the Crown to undertake control of pests on Crown Land. This may change the designation of certain pests where buffer distances and rules are used to direct neighbours to control their pests.
9.2.30 While we make progress on the review of the Pest Plant Management Strategy, staff have remained cognisant of the pest management strategies of neighbouring councils and the policies of MPI so that our own plans do not diverge too much from agreed practices. To foster a collective approach, Horizons has formed a lower North Island “club” for plan review with Greater Wellington and Hawkes Bay regions, along with DOC and MPI. Various club members put in requests for more base line data on pest distributions. These are needed to make better informed analyses of the costs and benefits, and appropriate plant buffer distances to set good neighbour rules by, but it slows the pace of work.
9.2.31 Over the reporting period, a workshop was held with Council (August) to present the approaches staff felt was the best available to Horizons. Council was supportive of the approaches described and provided further guidance for staff. A further meeting was held with DOC, MPI, and Greater Wellington to discuss Horizons’ “Good Neighbour” approach. Since that time, there have been several email exchanges among the “club” members but at time of reporting, there have been no firm resolutions to accept Horizons’ approach. This is primarily a consequence of a delay by MPI in releasing the NPD.
Woody Legumes in Rangipo Desert:
9.2.32 Pest management experts have noted a steady increase in legume weeds such as lupin, gorse, and broom along the Desert Road west of Lake Moawhango. Without intervention there is concern that infestations of invasive legumes will become unmanageable and the nationally iconic red tussock grasslands, including the lower slopes of Mt Ruapehu, will be replaced with invasive woody species such as gorse and broom. Horizons secured two small ($5,000) Envirolink grants, first to assess whether the problem of multiple-stakeholder involvement was a barrier (it is not) and second to engage Landcare Research to report on an aerial survey they undertook of the extent of the problem.
9.2.33 The next phase of this work requires effective management of weed control effort across all of the stakeholders. Over the reporting period a bid to Envirolink was prepared and will be submitted once it is established that this is the right avenue for funding.
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Mt. Ngauruhoe
Mt. Ruapehu
Lake Mowhango
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Slowing Possum Migration from DOC Estate:
9.2.34 Due to past legislative restrictions, the management of possums under Horizons Possum Control Operation (PCO) does not require the Department of Conservation (DOC) to control possums on DOC estate. Recent amendments to Biosecurity legislation to allow the Crown to be bound by rules as part of being a good neighbour, provides an opportunity for Horizons to engage DOC in a practicable and meaningful programme of possum control on DOC estate. At a workshop held in May, it was concluded that it is possible that possum fur harvesting by industry experts on DOC estate can reduce migration of possums into areas worked under the PCO programme (so reducing costs to Horizons) further research was warranted. In July, Horizons was successful in securing a medium ($20,000) Envirolink advice grant to explore the potential to use possum fur harvesters on Department of Conservation (DOC) estate in order to reduce the migration of possums from the DOC estate into areas covered by Horizons’ Possum Control Operations (PCO). This research has yet to be started. A meeting between Landcare Research, DOC, Horizons, and Industry is scheduled for 2nd December 2013.
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SUMMARY
PROJECT KEY DELIVERABLES PROGRESS TO DATE
Pest Plants Report Data from 2012 observations has been loaded and awaits formal comparative analysis Observations reported to weeds field team so that they can act on the information. Totara Reserve Possum Report Field observations 90% checked and loaded to Outcomes spreadsheet awaiting analysis Monitoring Rat Report Programmed to start in November
Bird Report Programmed to start in November
Evaluation of current systems To be started Report of Tararua Forest Draft near completion Forest Fragments and Fragments Survey Wetlands Hui with Waiouru wetlands Discussion with landowners about timing. Local hapu to landowners get back to Horizons representatives with time and venue. Biodiversity Indicators A range of indicator reports have been finalised and the regions are to decide which are the first ones for implementation Biodata guides Draft guides presented at Dataversity workshop Regionally Consistent On-track for completion in December Biodiversity Monitoring and Information Biodata Services Stack TFBIS funding secured in August Sharing User cases defined and workstreams drafted in October Dataversity Steering team teleconference in July to develop Dataversity Workshop agenda Workshop sponsorship secured over the period and workshop held in October Provide Information Formal information requests (that result in a letter with disclaimer) are being served at a rate of approximately 1 per fortnight. Undertake RMA advice site Two site visits resulting in formal letters identifying One Plan visits threatened, at-risk, or rare habitats Implementation and One Plan Implementation More detailed notes for the guidance document supporting Information Requests Schedule E have been written up. A draft plan for training staff on Schedule E has been put to the Policy Team for their review. Planting Guides Seed funding and plant list for an internet-based guides project was provided to Nature Space. Review the Regional Plant Stakeholder meetings / discussion with DOC, Greater Pest Management Strategy Wellington, Hawkes Bay, and Ministry of Primary Industries to discuss Horizons “Good Neighbour” rules and to compare current management regimes Legumes in Rangipo Desert Extent of broom infestation has been mapped. Pest Management A bid to aid multi-party reporting of control effort has been Strategy Support prepared to submit to Envirolink Possum Migration from DOC Envirolink bid funded. estate Meeting with Landcare Research, Industry and DOC partners to determine research blocks has been scheduled.
James Lambie SCIENCE COORDINATOR
Jon Roygard FRESHWATER & SCIENCE MANAGER
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Environmental Education
10 Environmental Education
10.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
QUARTERLY PERIOD YTD MEASURE TARGET % F/CAST ACTUAL 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Enviroschools workshops 2 2 16 12% 100% held Enviroschools schools 32 per 28 28 87% 100% supported quarter Trees for Survival schools 2 2 6 33% 100% supported Waiora sessions held 2 2 30 7% 100%
10.2 Output Activity Summary
10.2.1 The educator has spent one and a half weeks working with Helen Kelley to hand over the position. As part of the handover Helen has visited numerous educators and contacts throughout the Region and began making direct contact with the Region’s schools. Helen Kelley officially took over the role of Environmental Educator on 7 August 2013. Prior to this date the educator was Natasha de Rose.
Waiora:
10.2.2 The educator has finished updating the new Waiora Teachers’ Guide which has been adapted and expanded from the previous version. New kits have been established and disseminated out to the service centres to allow ease of access for schools across the Region to utilise.
10.2.3 The educator held a Waiora session at Kahuterawa Reserve with Romke and his mother Tania. Romke is homeschooled and his project for the year related to water quality in the local area. After the session, they took the kit for the day and studied the Mangaone Stream at Pioneer Highway and studied two separate locations on the Manawatu River in Palmerston North city. Romke completed his project and won first place in the local home schooling association science and technology competition for his year group.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Romke standing beside his prize winning science project
10.2.4 The educator held a Waiora session at YMCA Raukawa Camp for the YMCA holiday programme.
Enviroschools:
Total number of Enviroschools in the Horizons Region 32 Horowhenua District 1 Manawatu District 7 Palmerston North City 6 Rangitikei District 1 Ruapehu District 7 Tararua District 1 Wanganui District 9 Total number of Friends of Enviroschools in the Horizons Region 3 Confirmed 2 Pending application 1
10.2.5 Tararua District Council has now come on board with funding for the Enviroschools programme within our Region. This funding will go towards facilitation of Tararua district schools.
10.2.6 Rowena Brown has been hired as the facilitator for Manawatu district schools. Manawatu District Council is funding Rowena Brown’s facilitation.
10.2.7 The educator and Mandy Brooke, facilitator for Wanganui district schools, attended the Lower North Island Regional Coordinators cluster meeting. Along with the cluster meeting Mandy attended two days of Enviroschools training, a Principal/Lead Teacher workshop and visited a Green Gold school.
10.2.8 The educator and Mandy Brooke met with the Principal of Ngamatea School regarding facilitation of the Enviroschools programme for the school.
10.2.9 David McMillian from Manawatu District Council visited Apiti School with the educator to get a better insight into how the Enviroschools programme works.
10.2.10 Jan Cox, Enviroschools National Manager, spent two days in the Region providing training for the new facilitation team. Along with Jan, Kristen Price, Operations Manager for the Enviroschools Foundation, also attended to help the educator put a plan in place for the Region’s Enviroschools to move forward.
10.2.11 As part of the visit by Jan Cox and Kirsten Price, a meeting to arrange a potential partnership with Ruahine Kindergarten Association was held.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
10.2.12 The Horizons Region Enviroschools team consists of the regional coordinator/facilitator Helen Kelley and facilitators Rowena Brown and Mandy Brooke. In a team meeting they set the first regional vision: “Re-establish the Enviroschools kaupapa and support networks in and between our current Enviroschools in the Horizons Region. We aim to provide encouragement and support to allow our Enviroschools to move forward on their individual Enviroschools journey and establish a time when all schools in our Region are working towards a self-directed approach towards Education for Sustainability.”
10.2.13 The educator attended an Enviroschools workshop in Auckland that looked at connecting the Enviroschools programme to the New Zealand curriculum and everyday school life.
10.2.14 The educator along with Mandy Brooke and Rowena Brown (facilitators) attended a facilitation skills workshop hosted by the Wellington Enviroschools regional coordinator.
10.2.15 The educator attended the regional coordinators hui based in Dunedin that had a focus on the strategic direction of Enviroschools nationally.
10.2.16 The educator has visited Enviroschools in the Horowhenua, Palmerston North City, Tararua and Ruapehu districts. These initial visits were to meet with staff, discuss changes in the Region with regards to Enviroschools and discuss how the school was going on their Enviroschools journey. The educator visited: Ohau Playcentre, Ross Intermediate School, Linton Country School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngati Rangi, Orautoha School, Ballance School, Roslyn School, National Park School, Palmerston North Girls’ High School, Ngapuke School, Waiouru School and Massey Childcare Centre. The educator still plans to visit: Puddleducks Preschool, Kakahi School and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Taumarunui.
10.2.17 Mandy Brooke and Rowena Brown report to the regional coordinator at the end of each school term on the Enviroschools in their Region. The educator reports to Tararua District Council at the end of each school term also. Term 3 reports for the Wanganui, Manawatu and Tararua districts are attached (Appendix 3).
10.2.18 The educator has implemented a Region wide programme to begin a gradual expansion of Enviroschools while still maintaining adequate facilitation over current Enviroschools. Friends of Enviroschools is a programme approved by the Enviroschools Foundation and allows schools and early childhood centres to begin on an Enviroschools journey without being official Enviroschools. The educator has started the programme with interest registered already: Sunshine Kids is an eco friendly early childhood centre to be set up in the Whakarongo, Palmerston North area and have been accepted on the Friends programme; Bainesse School has a focus on rural science and have been accepted on the Friends programme; Massey Kids Club is an afterschool child care provider and runs holiday programmes and has requested an application.
10.2.19 As part of the Friends of Enviroschools programme roll out the educator is actively promoting Enviroschools in the Tararua district. Due to a Tararua district Enviroschool closing (Akitio School) and after further discussions with Tararua District Council it was agreed that the 2013-2014 funding received for facilitation can be used to facilitate more schools in the district to come on board. The educator will hold an Enviroschools 101 workshop in the Tararua district in December. To date, six Tararua district schools have shown an interest in attending and learning more about the Enviroschools programme: Dannevirke High School, Huia Range School, Kumeroa-Hopelands School, Papatawa School, Mangamaire School and Alfredton School.
10.2.20 Enviroschools cluster workshops have been identified as the most efficient use of funding for facilitation. Cluster workshops have been held in the Manawatu and Wanganui districts by Rowena Brown and Mandy Brooke respectively. Palmerston North City and Ruapehu districts are to have their workshops in November with the educator. Workshops are expected to be held for each district once a Term. Ballance School in the Tararua district and Ohau Playcentre in the Horowhenua district travel to the Palmerston North cluster workshop for ease of facilitation.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Trees for Survival:
10.2.21 Gavin Scott from Kitchener Park provided the educator with seedlings for the Apiti School shade house.
10.2.22 Mount Biggs School requested seedlings for their Trees for Survival unit. The educator helped the students prick out the seedlings and pot on the larger plants provided by Gavin Scott from Kitchener Park. Mount Biggs School has shown interest in continuing the programme in a reduced capacity and the educator has agreed to provide 100-200 seedlings every six months. The school intends to plant out the plants along the Mangaone Stream, in partnership with Landcare Research.
10.2.23 Ballance School has asked the educator about receiving seedlings for their Trees for Survival unit. The educator will work alongside the school to find a local source.
Other:
10.2.24 Ross Intermediate School requested a talk around the State of Environment report. Maree Clare and James Lambie presented this to their student council.
10.2.25 60 students from Paraparaumu College listened to Mike Patterson speak on the Manawatu River as part of a visit to our Region.
10.2.26 The educator along with Rachael Third attended the Taihape Area School planting day.
10.2.27 Weber School held a planting day to improve the health of the stream that runs through their school grounds. The educator along with Alesha Cooper attended.
Alesha Cooper showing the students how deep to plant the trees
10.2.28 Hunterville Consolidated School held a planting day at a neighbouring farm. The planting area was close to a small swamp area that the farmer had fenced off from livestock. 30 students attended the planting day with approximately 300 native plants planted. The school hopes to follow up the planting with more in the following years.
10.2.29 Aaron Madden and the educator attended a planting day at Bainesse School. The planting day is a continuation of the school’s hillside redevelopment.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Aaron Madden demonstrating to the school children how to plant the trees
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10.2.30 The educator visited Opiki School to talk about pollution, how a river gets polluted and the effect pollution can have on the ecosystem that live in the river. The educator used the River Journey story to illustrate.
10.2.31 The educator attended the Source of the Manawatu planting day.
10.2.32 Conservation Week 2013 planning continued with various meetings taking place. The educator, Te Manawa, the Department of Conservation both Palmerston North and Wanganui staff and Bushy Park staff and volunteers are all involved in the planning. The educator ran the Palmerston North photo competition and the wetland stand at the Bushy Park event day.
10.2.33 Palmerston North Photo Competition. The educator received over 40 entries to the competition from five different schools around the Palmerston North and Manawatu districts: Halcombe School, Bunnythorpe School, Winchester School, Linton Country School and Palmerston North Girls’ High School. The theme was “what’s your whānau doing” and there were three age categories: Year 1-6, Year 7-10 and Year 11- 13. Included in the first place prize pack the winning students’ schools received a $100 plant voucher from Kauri Park Nurseries and for the student themselves their entry was printed onto A2 canvas. The calibre and quality of the entries were noted by the three judges: Michael McCartney, CE of Horizons Regional Council; Andy Lowe, CEO of Te Manawa; Bruce Watt Photography staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
The educator Helen Kelley with the finalists for the Palmerston North Photo Competition
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10.2.34 Bushy Park Event Day: The educator attended the event day at Bushy Park. Due to high winds and rainfall the event was postponed and attendance by some schools declined because of this. There were still approximately 40 students for schools all over the district that attended. The educator alongside Adele Myer from the Department of Conservation ran the stand at the wetlands. The students got to hunt for water invertebrates and their noteworthy catches included a large frog, dragonfly larvae and frog eggs.
The educator Helen Kelley looking at freshwater invertebrates with students at the Bushy Park wetland
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10.2.35 Palmerston North Girls’ High School submitted a petition to Horizons Regional Council raising community concerns regarding the future health of the Manawatu River and a lack of support and involvement of external organisations and groups. There were some inaccuracies regarding the content of the petition to which the educator has addressed. The educator’s response is attached (Appendix 4). Palmerston North Girls’ High School was appreciative of the clarification, information and resources provided for the students.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
10.2.36 Apiti School, which is a current Enviroschool and has received support for Trees for Survival, held a Grand Opening of their “Green Finger Zone” (their plant propagation area). The educator attended along with invited guests Aaron Madden, Neil Gallagher and Michael McCartney. The event itself was covered by the educator and published on the Horizons website.
Invited guest Neil Gallagher cutting the ribbon to Apiti School’s shade house
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10.2.37 The educator attended the Council Induction Expo held 30th October 2013 at Te Manawa with a stall on a selection of Environmental Education resources available to schools as well as active sessions with school groups in Te Manawa’s Flood Room. Three schools (Linton Country School, Bainesse School and Ross Intermediate School) were booked in with five groups in total completing sessions in the Flood Room with the educator. The Flood Room looks at erosion and deposition in a way children can understand it at all levels. It included an artificial river that simulated a lowland / estuary environment where we played the farming game, observing and discussing water and how it affects the land. The groups made individual and group decisions in the face of erosion, floods, flood control and land reclamation. The groups then rotated through the expo with a questionnaire. The feedback from the schools about the expo has been positive.
10.2.38 The educator has begun developing a water conservation resource schools can use that is similar in style and format to the updated Waiora teachers’ guide. The aim of the workbook is to minimise water wastage with a general water conservation workbook available to all schools, urban and rural, in all districts of the Region and specific district information (such as how and where the water is collected, how water gets to the taps etc.) provided by local Territorial Authorities. Palmerston North City Council has already sent the educator information and other Territorial Authorities have indicated an interest in contributing. The educator is planning to have the general water conservation workbook available for all schools beginning Term 1 2014. Specific district information will be added as Territorial Authorities provide their information to the educator.
Helen Kelley ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR
Kate Ritani MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER (ACTING)
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Habitat Protection
HABITAT OVERVIEW
11 Priority Habitat Protection (Private Habitat Protection)
11.1 Outputs (what we achieved) – Annual Progress
REPORTING PERIOD YTD TARGET % MEASURE ACTUAL 1st 2nd 3rd 4th New high priority wetlands under management 0 0 3 0% New high priority wetlands under partial management 0 0 NA NA New high priority bush remnants under management 16 16 6 266% New high priority bush remnants under partial 0 0 NA NA management Environmental Grants supported 18 18 25 72% Environmental Grants completed (paid out) 2 2 25 8%
11.2 Outputs (what we achieved) – Total Life to Date Progress
REPORTING PERIOD LTD LTD MEASURE th % 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5 ACTUAL TARGET Total high priority wetlands under 0 49 53 92% management Total high priority wetlands under partial 0 26 NA NA management Total high priority bush remnants under 16 87 112 78% management Total high priority bush remnants under partial 0 40 NA NA management
11.3 Output Activity Summary
General:
11.3.1 In this period staff have been involved with planting and fencing jobs and weed control activities. Staff continued to receive calls from potential project owners seeking advice or assistance, with many of these followed up with a site visit and a funding application.
HABITAT PROTECTION
Community/private biodiversity:
11.3.2 A total of 18 biodiversity-related Environmental Grant and Biodiversity Support applications have been approved so far in the 2013-14 financial year. This figure includes high priority sites, lower priority sites and currently unclassified sites. Some of the unclassified sites that receive Environmental Grants are expected to be confirmed as high priority sites in time. Two of those jobs have been completed and claimed on.
High priority wetlands:
11.3.3 No new wetland sites came under active or partial management in this period. The total number of high priority wetlands under active management is 49, and the number of sites under partial management is 26. Partial management means that not all of the steps towards active management have been completed. In most cases the ‘missing’ part of the project is plant and/or animal pest control.
High priority bush remnants:
11.3.4 Following confirmation of their priority category, 17 new bush remnants were added to the list of actively managed sites in this period. One site – Bell’s Junction Bush – was removed from the list when the previously recorded fencing status was found to be incorrect. The new sites added from the Wanganui District were Kakatahi Stream Bush, Morikau Bush and Otaranoho Bush. Sites added from the Ruapehu District were Baddeley’s Bush, Bishop Mill Bush, Dobson Bush, Fahey Bush, Heale Bush, Kavanagh Bush, Malcolm Bush, Ohorea Picnic Bush, Ohorea Pukeho Bush, Te Uranga Bush 1, Te Uranga Bush 2, Te Uranga Bush 3 and Waipuna Jerusalem Bush. Pah Hill Jungle moved from partially managed status to actively managed. The total number of high priority bush remnants under active management is now 87 and the number of sites under partial management is 40. Partial management means that not all of the steps towards active management have been completed. In most cases the ‘missing’ part of the project is plant and/or animal pest control.
Aaron Madden ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – HABITAT PROTECTION
Bill Martyn MANAGER – BIOSECURITY & HABITAT PROTECTION
HABITAT PROTECTION
12 Community Biodiversity (Public Habitat Protection)
12.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE TARGET 1st 2nd 3rd 4th ACTUAL Bushy Park (Wanganui) 100% 100% 100% Kia Wharite (Ruapehu) 25% 25% 100% Kitchener Park (Manawatu) 100% 100% 100% Manawatu Estuary (Horowhenua) 25% 25% 100% Manawatu Gorge (Palmerston North and Tararua) 25% 25% 100% Massey Hill (Palmerston North) 25% 25% 100% Pukaha/Mt Bruce (Tararua) 25% 25% 100% Totara Reserve Regional Park (Manawatu) 25% 25% 100% Save Our River Trust (Horowhenua) 25% 25% 100% Rangitikei Environment Group (Rangitikei) 25% 25% 100% Waitarere Beach (Horowhenua) 10% 10% 100% PN Weedbusters (Palmerston North and Manawatu) 10% 10% 100% Turitea Reserve (Palmerston North ) 25% 25% 100% Tawata Mainland Island (Ruapehu) 25% 25% 100% Te Potae o Awarua (Rangitikei) 100% 100% 100% Lower Kahuterawa Stream (Palmerston North ) 25% 25% 100% Support new community projects as resources permit
12.2 Output Activity Summary
Kia Wharite (Ruapehu):
12.2.1 Refer to Horizons / DoC collaboration report.
Manawatu Estuary (Horowhenua):
12.2.2 Refer to Horizons / DoC collaboration report.
Manawatu Gorge (Palmerston North and Tararua):
12.2.3 Refer to Horizons / DoC collaboration report.
Pukaha/Mt Bruce (Tararua):
12.2.4 Refer to Horizons / DoC collaboration report.
Totara Reserve Regional Park (Manawatu):
12.2.5 Refer to Horizons / DoC collaboration report.
Additional community projects:
12.2.6 Save Our River Trust (Horowhenua): SORT is a community group based in Foxton and Horizons has been assisting the group with projects centred on the Manawatu River Loop. Staff facilitated a meeting between SORT and the landowners neighbouring the LINZ land on Matakarapa Island. A fence design, location and access have been agreed to. The fence will be erected in April and the retired margin of the Loop will be planted with flax by the end of June 2014.
HABITAT PROTECTION
12.2.7 Massey Hill (Palmerston North): A pest plant control and native replanting programme in partnership with Massey University, Palmerston North City Council and the Presbyterian Educational Purposes Trust. General weed control is on-going in the 5 hectare project site. Planting of 1,500 native trees was completed during August. At a meeting of the stakeholder group in September, the stakeholders agreed to continue annual funding contributions on into the immediate future focusing on weed maintenance and planting of native trees where required. The project area now connects with the green belts in the Summerhill/Cliff Rd area.
12.2.8 Kitchener Park (Manawatu): Horizons contributes to the pest plant and animal control programmes in this reserve. The annual contribution towards pest control has been paid.
12.2.9 Rangitikei Environment Group (Rangitikei): A weed control programme funded through a targeted rate on Rangitikei District ratepayers with an historical emphasis on Old Man’s Beard control. Horizons staff are assisting with the development of an Operational Plan that should encourage a more focused effort and improve reporting.
12.2.10 Bushy Park (Wanganui): Horizons contributes to the work done by the Bushy Park Trust to maintain a predator-free bush remnant containing threatened native bird species. The annual contribution towards pest control has been paid.
12.2.11 Waitarere Beach (Horowhenua): A weed control and planting programme funded through a targeted rate on Waitarere Beach residents with the initial emphasis on removal of coastal wattle. Last season’s coastal wattle control work has been very successful. The contractor will soon begin the follow-up work, consisting of knapsack spraying of any regrowth. In addition, other weed species on the foredune will be targeted this year and replanting of treated areas with spinifex is likely near the end of the financial year. Staff were involved in a community planting day on the Wairarawa Stream that attracted many residents and the Poroutawhao School.
12.2.12 Tiritea Reserve (Palmerston North): Horizons contributes part of the funds required for the pest plant and animal control programmes within this PNCC reserve.
12.2.13 PN Weedbusters (Palmerston North and Manawatu): This programme runs in and around Palmerston North, Ashhurst and Feilding. It is largely complaint driven with a focus on pest plants listed in the Regional Pest Plant Management Strategy. Control begins in November and runs through until about April.
Weedbusters
12.2.14 Tawata Mainland Island (Ruapehu): An intensive predator control project, which aims to improve forest health and increase native bird populations (with the possibility of re-introducing some of the missing species). Some fencing is required to complete the exclusion of grazing animals from the bush.
12.2.15 Te Potae o Awarua (Rangitikei): A whio (blue duck) and kiwi protection programme in the north- western Ruahine Ranges run by volunteers. The annual contribution towards the cost of the predator control programme has been paid.
HABITAT PROTECTION
12.2.16 Lower Kahuterawa Stream Biodiversity Restoration (Palmerston North): A partnership between Horizons, Massey University and the New Zealand Defence Force to remove weeds and plant the riparian corridor with suitable native species. All of the native plants to be used in this project will be eco- sourced from the two adjacent bush remnants – Kahuterawa Bush near Linton township and Keeble’s Bush on the Massey farm – or from the wetland on the NZDF land. Contracts for a planting plan, seed collection, propagation and growing on have been entered into. Some of the fast sedge and rush species, along with hebes already being grown from cuttings, may be ready to plant next winter. Further weed control is about to start.
Aaron Madden ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – HABITAT PROTECTION
Bill Martyn MANAGER - BIOSECURITY & HABITAT PROTECTION
HABITAT PROTECTION
13 Department of Conservation / Horizons Regional Council Collaboration
Kia Wharite (Ruapehu/ Whanganui):
PROJECT OVERVIEW: Kia Wharite is a joint project involving DOC and Horizons to protect blue duck and kiwi, and improve overall forest health, across an area of 180,000 hectares centred on Whanganui National Park. The focus of the project is on animal pest control (possums, rats, mustelids, and goats), and there is also a component associated with fencing bush, wetlands and streams, and promoting the area to the public.
13.1.1 The reduced number of resident whio pairs on the Manganui o Te Ao River continues to be an issue. Investigations into the cause of the decrease continue, but the focus is on reducing predator pressure. Live capture cat traps and DOC 250s have been deployed within the Ruatiti ‘gap’ area in response to one dead whio being predated by a cat. A targeted programme towards cats with kill traps is being devised currently as a contingency response. It is also hoped that persisting with changes put in place over the winter, including using a wider range of baits and lures, will help improve effectiveness of the existing stoat trap network.
13.1.2 Spring monitoring of the Whio National Security Site is underway, with some key facts and figures:
. Approximately 30 pairs have been seen in the Manganui o Te Ao – Retaruke Security site. . No chicks have been seen in the Security site as yet. One duckling was seen with a pair in Monitored Area 3 downstream of the Security site. Two floods; of particular note the severe flood on 18 October 2013 meant the Retaruke rose 8 metres and the Manganui o Te Ao rose at least 4-5 metres. It appears that any first broods that may have occurred have been lost on both catchments. . Predator trapping now protects 72 km of whio habitat with a total of 1436 traps. A total of 117 mustelids and 1233 rats have been caught so far this year. ‘Recovery site’ traps have been placed up and downstream of the Security site to give additional protection for whio in the site.
13.1.3 Goat contract tenders are currently being written up to go out to GETS by the end of November. Particular effort has been made to adjusting the current process for tendering to be more in line with working with our treaty partners in this unique space.
13.1.4 One hundred double set DOC 200 traps have recently been purchased; these traps are to be positioned in the ‘Predator Free Zone’ recently set up in the Ernslaw One Forest (west of Raetihi) for the protection of kiwi. 1080 poisoning (ground based in bait stations) is also ongoing in the area.
13.1.5 An open day is being planned for early in 2014 to increase advocacy and awareness around the project and to bring together supporters, landowners and neighbours. Guest speakers will highlight the value of collaborative biodiversity management and also the milestones Kia Wharite has achieved to date. A date is yet to be confirmed but will likely be in February once school is back. This will be hosted by Kaitieke School and will involve Regional Councillors, iwi, local landowners, and DOC/ Horizons staff involved in the project.
13.1.6 Analysis of kiwi call data is ongoing, but preliminary findings suggest a marginally significant increase of about 30% in call rates from 2010 to 2012. This is still early days in the expected recovery, but it is a positive indication.
Manawatu Estuary (Horowhenua):
13.1.7 Horizons runs two predator trapping (mustelids and rats) programmes in the project area;
. On the farmland between Foxton and Foxton Beach townships and extending out onto the area known as Fern Bird Flat. Trap checking is undertaken monthly, increasing to fortnightly over the Spring-Autumn period, and . In and around Foxton Beach settlement where 30 traps are checked weekly.
13.1.8 DOC undertakes weed control in the Estuary and is close to eradicating Spartina. Other weeds controlled include sand acacia, marram and pink ragwort in the dunes.
HABITAT PROTECTION
Manawatu Gorge (Palmerston North and Tararua):
13.1.9 The Manawatu Gorge Biodiversity Project (MGBP) has gained wide public interest in the last 12 months with a number of speaking engagements outlining the stakeholder partnership and how it has been so successful in achieving the projects mission and vision. This success is attributed to the sharing of resource and expertise between the stakeholder group, sticking to the project plan and the focus around strategic planning into the future. These are the key notes of interest presented when addressing such audiences as Local Government Strategic Planning Group, NZ Recreation Association Conference. Presentations to community groups have a strong focus on the restoration of the flora and fauna, planting of trees, the rata programme, animal and plant pest operations, track and facilities development plus what is in progress such as a new mountain bike track.
13.1.10 Parahaki Island which is part of the MGBP but owned by Rangitaane is being developed into an outdoor classroom as such by the owners. The island is to be planted out with flax and toetoe with areas to grow vegetables, camping site where outdoor workshops can be held focusing on cultural heritage. The island will have public access. The stakeholder working group is working closely with the owners.
13.1.11 Positive progress with support from NZTA has been made around the establishment of the Ashhurst Manawatu River bridge clip-on. More to report on this soon.
13.1.12 The completion of the first stage of the Palmerston North to Ashhurst walking and cycling track has added value to the project which will see the development of the Ashhurst Domain bush remnant car park area which now becomes part of the walking track area. Plant pest willow and wattle tree removal has been completed. Planting of native trees, picnic tables and access to the river are in progress.
13.1.13 The Ferry Reserve entrance way is to be upgraded with a stone wall entrance. The Woodville Domain Board who are partners in the MGBP are funding this.
13.1.14 Planting of 6,000 native trees is well underway. 2,500 trees have been planted under the Living Legends programme at Ferry Reserve. Other sites in progress are the Ballance and Ashhurst Gorge car parks.
13.1.15 The public walking the Gorge tracks has increased dramatically. At the start of the project 2006 there were 15,000 people walking the tracks annually. As at 31st of June being only halfway through the year the numbers are 44,000. It is recognized that a lot of users will have been counted twice or more however at this rate we will surpass the annual numbers walking the Tongariro Crossing which is 77,000.
13.1.16 The stakeholder working group is presently working on a model that will see an over-arching governance group establish to oversee the project on into the future. This could take the form of a Trust, MOU, or Stakeholder Representative Agreement.
13.1.17 Meridian Energy (Te Apiti Wind Farm) has indicated its willingness to become a stakeholder in the MGBP and had in the first instance, along with Walking Access NZ, agreed to give a public easement access across their land to the northern side of the Gorge bush.
Manawatu Gorge Entrance
HABITAT PROTECTION
Pukaha/Mt Bruce (Tararua):
13.1.18 Monthly trap checks are still being undertaken until January 2014. Then fortnightly checks will resume to cover the juvenile dispersal of ferrets.
13.1.19 Following the request from DOC to lower all Timms traps from raised sets to ground level in close vicinity to kiwi within the sanctuary the traps located on Owen Harvey’s property have been placed at ground level. This has not yet made any great impact on catch numbers of cats, with only one being caught in the last three months.
13.1.20 The six possum master traps remain on Owen Harvey’s property within the buffer on a trial basis, they have accounted for one cat to date since the trial inception. We have changed the bait and are now using a salmon scented lure to try and increase the number of cats caught on this property.
13.1.21 The next TAG meeting is anticipated to be held when the current DoC restructure round is finalised.
13.1.22 Catch tally to date:
. 2 ferrets . 1 stoat . 4 cats . 53 rats . 16 hedgehogs
White kiwi at Mt Bruce
HABITAT PROTECTION
Totara Reserve Regional Park (Manawatu):
13.1.23 In addition to the business as usual projects outlined previously there have also been a number of opportunities identified within the Reserve that Horizons and DOC are working on. DOC has completed an audit of the Reserve’s track network and structures, and has made recommendations on what standard of tracking befits an asset of its type as well as providing a number of enhancement options that might further enhance the asset and the Totara Reserve experience. DOC is currently in the process of a nationwide review of its Operations Group, so the development of a service delivery option for track maintenance and design for HRC to consider is still under construction. Details will be discussed in September, once the new DOC structure has been finalised.
Totara Reserve BBQ area
Bill Martyn ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER – BIOSECURITY & REGIONAL RESPONSE
Chris Lester RELATIONSHIP MANAGER – PALMERSTON NORTH - DOC
HABITAT PROTECTION
HABITAT PROTECTION
Biosecurity Activity (Animals)
ANIMAL OVERVIEW
14 Possums (Possum Control Operations)
14.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE TARGET % 1st 2nd 3rd 4th ACTUAL Control maintenance operational areas (by count) 10 10 60 16.6% Control initial operational areas (by count) 0 0 12 0 Deferred operation (by count) 20 20 20 100% Overall programme control (by count) 30 30 92 32.6% Control maintenance operational areas (by area) 186,181 186,181 597,411 31.3% Control initial operational areas (by area) 13,152 13,152 118,376 11.1% Deferred operation (by area) 232,316 232,316 232,316 100% Overall programme control (by area) 432,349 432,349 948,103 45.6% MOH Approvals 72 72 72 100% Record all inputs 5 5 72 6.9%
14.2 Output Activity Summary
14.2.1 A good response was received from the recent tenders let for six PCOs contracts on offer this year, with all contract areas being well contested. The tenders were of a high standard with all contractors putting considerable effort into their respective tender documents. The successful tenderers were notified in late September and four have signed the operational contracts, the remaining two will be signed up prior to Christmas.
Operation Name Successful Tenderer Hunterville PCO KB Environmental Ltd – Kevin Battersby Mangaweka PCO Baytrap Ltd – Gordon McKie Marima PCO Central Districts Pest Control Ltd – Rob Brenstrum Matamau South PCO Puketoi Pest Control Ltd – Glenn Eastwood Matamau West PCO Puketoi Pest Control Ltd – Glenn Eastwood Mokai PCO KB Environmental Ltd – Kevin Battersby
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14.2.2 Good progress has been made on the 2013-14 PCO with work underway on 28 operational areas and 10 programmes completed. Operational data (i.e. GPS waypoints/tracks; operational reports etc) is flowing in steadily as work is completed. Landowner cooperation has continued to be excellent with no major issues arising over the reporting period.
Eric Dodd ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR (ANIMALS)
BIOSECURITY - ANIMALS
Map 4: Possum Control Operation – Confirmed 2013-14 Map
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BIOSECURITY - ANIMALS
15 Rooks
15.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD ACTUAL TARGET % MEASURE 1st 2nd 3rd 4th a. Existing rook colonies (rookeries) 83 83 Record 100% b. New sites 7 7 Record 100% Total rook colonies (rookeries) (a + b) 90 90 Record 100% Aerially treated rookeries 88 88 Record 100% Ground based rook control operations 1 1 5 20% Report ground control efficacy (% estimated kill) 60% 60% 90% 67% Ensure all contractual obligations are completed before annual rook control programme begins MOH approval in place 1 1 1 100% Aerial contract and tender process 1 1 1 100%
15.2 Output Activity Summary
15.2.1 The annual aerial nest baiting programme was undertaken over a thirteen-day period from 4th to the 17th October 2013. The programme was affected by wet weather however not enough to prevent all nests being treated prior to young birds fledging.
15.2.2 The results from this season’s aerial work were excellent with a further 27.3% reduction in the number of ‘active’ breeding nests treated compared to last year with; the nest numbers dropping from 415 in 2012 to 326. The number of breeding rookeries across the region has dropped by seven from 97 in 2012 to 90 this year.
15.2.3 Since the introduction of the Region wide aerial baiting programme in 2005 the number of active nests has reduced by 89% (2,942 nests in 2005 to 326 nests in 2013).Graph 2 illustrates this steady reduction in the number of active rookeries over the past 8 years.
15.2.4 One ground baiting operation was undertaken on a property in the Tararua District where the operational team could not use the helicopter for nest baiting due to lambing. The area was prefeed with bread bait for three days prior the toxic application; an estimated 35 birds were killed at this site. A relatively new technique was used again this season, whereby an experienced arborist, skilled in tree climbing, accesses nests for removal in urban situations where poisoning, firearms or felling aren’t practical or safe. Nests at Massey University and the Levin Hospital were dispatched in this way.
BIOSECURITY – ANIMALS
Active nests baited per year
3500
3000 2942
2500
2000 1770 1500 1419 1339 1272 1058 1000 842 415 500 326 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Graph 2: Reduction in ‘active’ nests 2005-2013
Eric Dodd ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR (ANIMALS)
BIOSECURITY - ANIMALS
Map 5: Rookery Distribution Post Control 2013
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16 Amenity Pests
16.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE st nd rd th ACTUAL TARGET % 1 2 3 4 Manage and record all amenity pest enquiries 132 132 Record 100% using ‘Frontline’ corporate database Respond to all enquiries within 48 hours of 132 132 100% 100% receipt Close out or action all enquiries within 5 132 132 100% 100% working days of receipt Report on all amenity pest enquiries Reported below
16.2 Output Activity Summary
16.2.1 A total of 132 enquiries were received over the reporting period. These enquiries are summarised in graphs 2 and 3.
16.2.2 The highest percentage of the enquiries was received from landowners from the Manawatu District followed by Palmerston North, Wanganui and Tararua Districts.
16.2.3 Possum enquiries continue to top the list followed by rooks, magpies and rabbits. Magpies took a step up with a large number of these enquiries reporting attacks on people. Some regions are starting to control magpies in a serious way and people are asking if we might follow suit. They are a serious hazard to young children and cyclists during the breeding season.
16.2.4 Rabbit populations are currently at their seasonal high in most areas of the region. We took the opportunity to undertake a trial with ground Pindone rabbit poisoning (in conjunction with the Greater Wellington Region) on six properties between Levin to Wanganui. The Pindone carrot was applied following a prefeed of plain carrot. The sites were all peri urban (i.e. in large gardens etc) it will be interesting to see what results are achieved.
16.2.5 The rook notification advertising placed in newspapers across the region resulted in a good number of calls. A number of new breeding rookeries were identified due to the advertising campaign.
Pindone carrot, dyed green to deter birds, in a garden in the Horowhenua district (Ray Wilman)
BIOSECURITY – ANIMALS
Pest Animal Enquiry Summary for Period ending 31 October 2013
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Possum Mustelid Magpie Rabbit Rook Cat All Other
Possum Mustelid Magpie Rabbit Rook Cat All Other This Year 31 12 24 20 26 11 8 Last Year 42 14 17 10 26 12 29
Graph 2: Pest Animal Enquiry Summary – by Pest Type
Amenity Pest Enquiry Summary - 1 September-31 October 2013 30 30 27
25 24 22
20 16 15
10 8 5 5
0 Palmerston Horowhenu Manawatu Tararua Rangitikei Wanganui Ruapehu North a Count by District 30 27 22 8 24 5 16
Graph 3: Pest Animal Enquiry Summary – by District
Eric Dodd ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR (ANIMALS)
BIOSECURITY - ANIMALS
17 Monitoring
17.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD Target % MEASURE ACTUAL 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Monitor agreed sample of ex-Animal Health Board 0 0 8 0 PCOs Monitor agreed sample of new (initial) PCOs 0 0 12 0 RTC of sampled ex-AHB PCOs - - <5% - RTC of sampled maintenance PCOs - - <10% -
17.2 Output Activity Summary
17.2.1 All of this year’s monitoring budget will be used on PCO wax tag monitors, there will be no rabbit night counting or RHD blood sampling.
17.2.2 A ‘Monitoring Plan’ has been developed with 20 x PCOs to be trend monitored (please refer to the attached PCO Monitoring Map 2013-14 for operational detail). A monitor design has been completed for all of the areas and landowner lists, maps etc. have been prepared in readiness for the work to commence.
17.2.3 The Ohutu and Branscombe Coast PCOs are currently underway; the results from these monitors will be available in the next fortnight. A further seven monitors should be completed by the end of January.
PCO life to date average RTCi results (to 31st November 2013) Ex AHB operations 5% target Initial operations 10% target 1.59% (18 x operations) 5.48% (19 x operations) Overall average (37 x operations) 3.59%
A wax tag line in a young radiate plantation
Eric Dodd ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR (ANIMALS)
BIOSECURITY - ANIMALS
Map 6: PCO monitoring map 2013-14
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Biosecurity Activity (Plants)
PLANT OVERVIEW
18 Zero Density/Containment Species
18.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE % 1st 2nd 3rd 4th ACTUAL Survey & record status of all known and new Zero Density & 2277 2277 N/A Containment species New sites 334 334 N/A Total sites 2676 2676 N/A Zero Density progress (cumulative sites at zero density) 1550 1550 58
18.2 Output Activity Summary
18.2.1 Species specified in the Regional Strategy (RPPMS)worked on this period include: Darwin’s barberry, Pinus contorta, boneseed, ginger, banana passionfruit, Chilean rhubarb, blue passion flower, and moth plant.
Darwin’s barberry
18.2.2 Darwin’s barberry has been tackled right across the region. Flights occurred against the Ruahine range, around Horopito, and near Waimiha to survey new and historic areas during flowering.
18.2.3 Historic sites across the region are showing good control. However some properties have specific challenges such as inundated bush and lowly valued pasture harbouring brush weeds meaning suppression is attainable but eradication will be difficult.
18.2.4 The joint operational programme around the Tongariro National Park between DoC and HRC is well underway. The shared contractor arrangement is working well.
Contorta
18.2.5 Contorta has been controlled from Pureora through to Waiouru.
18.2.6 There are only two seeding trees that we know of around Pureora and these are on the Taumata plantations block in a bog pine reserve.
.
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Image of some of the area surveyed. Mt Pureora is to the right (Dave Alker)
18.2.7 The two shelter rows near Waiouru still remain, though we are progressing plans to have at least one removed in about three months time using a firewood contractor.
18.2.8 A number of trees have been basal barked using a new to HRC product called X-tree basal in the Waiouru/Tangiwai area. The chemical is bark absorbed and applied using a drench gun type applicator from a back pack. The majority of these trees were on rail land or roadsides. Trees are already starting to die so hopefully results will be good.
18.2.9 Treescape has put in for funding to treat trees on the rail from Mataroa north to National Park. Hopefully this funding will be enough to do the stretch from Mataroa through to Ohakune.
18.2.10 Karl Parker has offered the remaining contorta trees in his riparian area by the Whangaehu River to be used to aerial trial a new product being developed by Agpro. This product will hopefully be cheaper than X-tree and be able to be used in large aerial jobs in place of Jet A1 and triclopyr.
18.2.11 Work is well underway for a tangible outcome from the Nature Central initiative. The collective partners of Nature Central plus the Defence Force have been working on a guiding document called the Nature Central Wilding Conifer Implementation Plan. The partners have established a clear terms of reference that sets out the brief for the Plan. The Plan is in response to the Nature Central initiative and a soon to be released National Wilding Conifer Strategy document. It is the intention of the Plan to provide a framework and practical steps that the partners can take to achieve wilding conifer eradication or management in the shortest timeframe and with the least cost.
18.2.12 Major tenants of the Plan is the sharing of information about infestations and aligned control programmes to eliminate the investment of control being compromised by inundation from neighbouring infestations.
18.2.13 There is also scope for cost sharing in control and also an understanding the best management to manage the externality rather than sink a lot of money into an unwinnable infestation.
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Chilean rhubarb
18.2.14 Chilean rhubarb has been tackled across the region as well. A couple of examples of sites follow: The first is an historic garden or managed site that commenced once the site was disturbed and the second the consequence of dispersal by birds and the real reason we tackle Chilean rhubarb. We controlled Chilean rhubarb at Ballance at the request of a landowner who had some as did a neighbouring property. The neighbour’s is an old historic site which was clear until the new owner decided to turn the site into an ornamental pond, which caused seed to be brought up with the earthworks, and given the perfect place to grow with a pond being put in.
Garden site - still finding them (Jack Keast)
18.2.15 A jet boat survey of Chilean rhubarb on the Rangitikei River was undertaken after someone alerted us to a site.
18.2.16 The following Chilean rhubarb pictured favoured the banks of the Rangitikei River and the recent 7.3 m flood event on the 20th of October 2013 did little to dissuade it. Horizons pest plant staff, with cooperation from HRC operations staff was able to treat this large plant from the HRC jet boat and conduct a search further up stream and were rewarded for their efforts by locating another mature Gunnera plant similarly clinging to the river bank.
BIOSECURITY - ANIMALS
Chilean rhubarb clinging on and spreading seed (Neil Gallagher)
Craig Davey ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – PLANTS
BIOSECURITY - PLANTS
19 Production Species
19.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE st nd rd th ACTUAL TARGET % 1 2 3 4 a. Record and treat all known & newly discovered 400 400 N/A N/A zero-density species b. New sites 20 20 N/A N/A Site total 420 420 N/A N/A Progress toward zero density target 266 266 80% 78% (63%) Boundary complaints received & actioned 9 9 100% 100%
19.2 Output Activity
19.2.1 Species managed: African feather grass, Woolly nightshade
19.2.2 Woolly nightshade was targeted at this time as during early spring the plant is more easily identified. The urban and peri-urban areas continue to hold the most numbers of sites.
19.2.3 We have actioned 9 complaints regarding plants triggering our boundary rules and also dealt with other enquires about the state of boundaries and plants requiring control.
19.2.4 We inspected 2 properties on programmed yearly inspections due to historic complaints and have written notices and letters as appropriate.
Craig Davey ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – PLANTS
BIOSECURITY - ANIMALS
20 Biological Control
20.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
QUARTERLY PERIOD YTD MEASURE 1st 2nd 3rd 4th ACTUAL Monitor and report on all new bioagent sites and releases 31 31 - Sites inspected Monitor and report on all new bioagent sites and releases 1 1 - New releases
20.2 Output Activity Summary
20.2.1 The following species of biological control agents were either released or assessed: Broom gall mite, Ragwort plume moth, Puccinia myrsiphylli – Bridal creeper rust, Buddleia leaf weevil - Cleopus japonicas, Tradescantia stem beetle.
Broom gall mite
20.2.2 Broom gall mite continues to show excellent killing capacity at release sites in Canterbury but establishment has been patchy in our region despite numerous releases. One are of high broom populations is the central plateau and Landcare Research is undertaking a study into the difficulty of establishment around Waiouru. We hope to benefit from this study and learn where best to put our releasing effort.
Buddleia leaf weevil
20.2.3 Buddleia leaf weevils were spread around the region last year and most sites are showing successful establishment. We will continue to disperse this successful agent once they mature from larvae to adult weevils.
Ragwort plum moth
20.2.4 Ragwort plume moth has been very effective at release sites. Many ‘nursery’ sites where releases are gathered for use at new sites have proven the impact of the grub; as there is virtually no ragwort present.
Smilax rust biocide
20.2.5 Similax (Aparagus asparagoides) is a low climbing perennial vine capable of smothering indigenous species. It is invasive in forests, scrublands and coastal areas. In Horizons Regional Pest Plant Strategy it is listed as a site specific species and it is present in our regional park Totara Reserve where it is actively managed.
20.2.6 Several methods of control are available from manual removal to application of herbicide. A biological control agent (rust) arrived in New Zealand from across the Tasman via wind currents. Traditional methods to speed up the spread of the rust involved collecting infected plant material and placing it in healthy infestations. Pest plant team member Neil Gallagher recently attended a weeds conference in Australia, via a travel grant from the New Zealand Biosecurity Institute, where he learnt of a new way to spread the rust around.
20.2.7 Similax rust can be spread widely by simply taking rust infested plant material and washing it in cold water which removes the rust spores. Take the liquid, which looks like weak tea, and add to a (triple washed) spray tank and then simply spray the mixture directly to healthy plants.
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The following photos show the methodology:
Collecting infected plant material (Ruth Fleeson)
Washing off the rust spores (Ruth Fleeson)
Applying the mixture to healthy similax plants (Ruth Fleeson)
We will assess the site in early autumn for rust establishment. And if successful we will target more smilax infestations and also trial other rust agents; such as the tutsan rust.
Craig Davey ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – PLANTS
BIOSECURITY - ANIMALS
21 Non-rateable Land & Crown Agencies
21.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORITNG PERIOD YTD MEASURE TARGET % 1st 2nd 3rd 4th ACTUAL MOU/Liaison progress 10 10 12 83%
21.2 Output Activity Summary
21.2.1 Agencies we liase with; LINZ, DoC, Kiwirail, NZ Defence Force, NZTA, Wanganui District Council, Ruapehu District Council, Rangitikei District Council, Manawatu District Council, Palmerston North City Council, Tararua District Council, Horowhenua District Council. We also meet annually with neighbouring regional councils to discuss boundary arrangements
21.2.2 Staff have met or received yearly plans from most of the local authorities and government agencies responsible for managing pest plants in the region on council managed or crown land. The outstanding agency to meet with is Kiwirail
21.2.3 The state highway network is managed under two contracts; and eastern and western, divided by the Whangaehu River. The eastern contract is under a new regime as NZTA look to reduce vegetation management inputs. Fence to fence mowing will stop; with the focus now on the smaller road to marker peg corridor, designated pest plants and managing other vegetation on a sightline and complaint basis.
Dessert Road Invasive Legume Control Project
21.2.4 The Desert Road Invasive Legume Control Project (DRILCP) met to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU sets out the vision, goals and actions to address the control and spread of lupin, gorse and broom in a defined project area incorporating 23000 ha. The area is either side of SH1 starting about 3.5 kms north of Waiouru and running for approximately 40 kms.
21.2.5 The partner organisations also formed operational objectives for the coming control season and will progress these objectives to form a longterm plan that will address the actions as described in the MOU. The first action after the meeting was to create a baseline map of gorse so in the future, operational effectiveness can be measured against a baseline. The project area was aerially mapped in December 2012 to establish a baseline infestation for broom; the area was again photographed however this time in early November to take images of flowering gorse.
Craig Davey ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – PLANTS
BIOSECURITY - PLANTS
22 Surveillance
22.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE st nd rd th ACTUAL % 1 2 3 4 Survey and inspect all nurseries for NPPA listed weeds 0 0 0 Report all discoveries and action taken Reported below Survey & record status of all known and new Surveillance species 23 23 N/A sites New sites 0 0 N/A Total sites 23 23 N/A Zero Density progress (cumulative sites at zero density) 11 11 48
22.2 Output Activity Summary
22.2.1 The HRC managed pyp grass site on the southern terrace of the Manawatu river below the SH1 bridge was recently inspected and no plants were found. The site has shown 100% control for a number of years – despite site disturbance from tree felling flooding the area with light and opening the topsoil. We will continue to monitor the site and a buffer around the area this summer.
22.2.2 The Rangitikei Horsetail Group – an easier name to communicate than the Lower Rangitikei Horsetail Control Group has met a couple of times to plan a field day for November 20th. The field day will highlight the bio-control option, but also demonstrate a chemical control trial, and provide a forum for best practice management to minimise the impact on farmland.
22.2.3 The Rangitikei Horsetail Group is going to be on TV One’s Rural Delivery. The TV crew are filming in early December and the group want to use the opportunity to highlight the impact field horsetail can have on cropland and pasture and alert people to its methods of dispersal.
Craig Davey ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – PLANTS
BIOSECURITY - ANIMALS
23 Awareness & Promotion
23.1 Outputs (what we achieved)
REPORTING PERIOD YTD MEASURE ACTUAL 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Report on all awareness and promotional activity Reported below Respond to all enquiries 155 155
23.2 Progress Towards Targets
ACTIVITY WHAT Woolly nightshade - Pahiatua; Wild ginger - Wanganui Chronicle Media releases 25/10/13, Whacking tutsan – Countrywide, August; Signage Wild ginger sign Wanganui, Chilean Rhubarb sign Woodville Field Days Te Manawa Expo Famer group Taumarunui, Taihape Forest and Bird meeting regarding Talks to groups HRC OMB programme, DVKE A&P AGM, Pohangina Valley Community Group Apiti School official plant house grand opening day Other Weedbusting at Kimbolton School Wanganui Urban Weed Programme 2013
23.3 Activity Summary
PEST PLANT ENQUIRIES - SUMMARY JULY , AUGUST, SEPTEMBER , and OCTOBER 2013
70
60
50
40 67
30 Totalenquiries 20 42 30 10 15
0 1 Production Zero-Density Freshwater Surveillance Non-Strategy Enquiry type 30 67 1 15 42
Graph 4: Pest Plant enquiries for July, August, September and October 2013
BIOSECURITY - PLANTS
23.3.1 We received 155 enquires this period. This is fairly typical for this time of year as spring begins and our promotional material spikes peoples interest. Production species of note were tutsan and gorse; Zero density plants had a number of ginger enquiries given the Wanganui urban programme; surveillance designated enquires were by and large about field horsetail and a large number of the non-strategy enquires were about pink ragwort and tradescantia.
23.3.2 Dave Alker from Taumarunui was invited to speak about weeds and control options, at a farm focus day. He took the opportunity to talk about tutsan other weeds in the area that we are on the look out for. This was well received.
Farmers at Focus Group (Dave Alker)
23.3.3 Malinda Matthewson attended a meeting of Forest and Bird held in Taihape about Old Man’s Beard (OMB). Malinda presented Horizons approach to OMB in the area and was well received.
23.3.4 As a consequence of the presentation a meeting at Mokai was held between Malinda, Hugh Stewart (F&B and Rangitikei Environment Group) and Alison Dorian (DoC Mangaweka) to look at ways REG group could work that would complement the OMB work programmes of HRC and DoC. To date nothing formal has come from this meeting but Neil Mickleson (GEM group) is working on a project plan with the group and is aware of what other work is happening in the area.
23.4 WEEDBUSTERS Small Scale Initiative Fund: Pahiatua 2013
23.4.1 Pahiatua School students have been mucking in at Carnival Park, and their work just became slightly easier. For the last couple of years the students have been weeding the bush, planting trees and improving the park for the public, with some outstanding results. However, a lack of a proper contained dump site for green waste has started to hamper their progress.
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23.4.2 To resolve this issue, the school applied for a grant from WEEDBUSTERS, the nationwide initiative supporting weed control work. The WEEDBUSTERS small-scale initiative fund provides money for WEEDBUSTERS groups to cover ‘small scale’ costs such as tools, herbicides and green waste disposal, which gives these groups an encouraging boost. The application is run through Horizons Regional Council, which co-ordinates WEEDBUSTERS work within the region. Horizons staff had previously been involved with the school at Carnival Park, teaching the students how to control different types of weeds, and assisting them in cleaning up the area.
23.4.3 The school applied for $1000, to be spent on a contained green waste disposal area, as well as herbicides and signage for the area. This application was approved, with the money being presented on the 2nd of August. With the help of a few handy parents with a spare hour or two, it is hoped that the disposal area will be up and running for the students to utilise in the spring.
Pahiatua School receive funds from WEEDBUSTERS (Jack Keast)
23.5 Vegetation monitoring plots set up with Kimbolton School
23.5.1 Kimbolton School students are keen to continue being active WEEDBUSTERS in the Kimbolton Reserve on Forest Road in the Manawatu. Environmental Management Officer-Plants Neil Gallagher approached the school to suggest they may wish to add value to their weeding efforts. If they are going to remove exotic weeds the installation of monitoring plots could demonstrate trends in the forest that would otherwise go unnoticed. Setting up a monitoring system would allow them to check what impact their management is having. It will allow them to see if their efforts are moving the forest in the right direction in terms of maintaining and improving its values.
23.5.2 Together with James Lambie (Horizons Senior Ecologist) Neil Gallagher suggested the Formak Vegetation Plot system. This would also double as a learning module for students to be introduced to the scientific experiment process, the importance of controls and variables, identification of plants, methods of data collection (maths) and data plotting graphs.
23.5.3 Kimbolton School principal Linda Campbell wanted to introduce a science aspect to their forest activities and hence they were quick to grasp the concept. Nine students from different years were selected to be part of this weedbusting group led by school teacher Heidi Morton.
BIOSECURITY - PLANTS
23.5.4 The monitoring is to be carried out yearly for up to five years. Younger members of the group will follow the process from its inception before leaving to attend higher education. Older students will benefit from being introduced to the experimental process. It may take five years for any serious results to show, but they are a committed alliance and are in this for the long haul.
23.5.5 HRC is providing support through facilitation, helping with plant identification, experimental design and other technical advice. Permanent transect lines/plots have now been created. All students are involved in the analysis and are learning about GPS location, landforms, forest type, canopy cover, soil, bird evidence, plant identification etc. Some plots are reserved as ‘controls’ meaning not all plots are weeded. All the students involved are proud of their efforts and keen.
Student filling out vegetation monitoring form (Neil Gallagher)
23.6 Wanganui Urban Weed Programme 2013
23.6.1 During the spring of 2011 and 2012 Horizons ran the Wanganui Urban Weed Programme
23.6.2 During these two years HRC has lifted awareness around pest plants in Wanganui City. As a result more people living in Wanganui associate HRC with pest plants will seek our advice on anything weedy. This year’s programme brief is as follows:
1. Signature weed: Wild ginger
2. Start date: 21st October 2013
3. Promotional Phase: October through November 2013
4. Activity Phase: December 2013
5. Official End Date: Christmas 2013
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23.6.3 The promotional phase of the programme involves requests to the public to contact Horizons to let us know if they have seen any wild ginger or have it in their garden and would like some assistance in controlling it. The promotional phase is now well under. This has involved the use of radio adverts, live radio interviews, creation of a new weed warrior; ‘Ginger Ninja’, visits to residents with ginger on their property and interviewing them to talk to about wild ginger and what Horizons is doing which is aired live on a local radio station; social media (MoreFM and HRC Facebook pages); HRC website widget taking people directly to a page devoted to the programme; a roadside sign strategically placed in Wanganui; the delivery of approximately 3000 flyers in selected suburbs in Wanganui where wild ginger is known to be present; newspaper articles; recording a video clip explaining the programme (posted on youtube.com and HRC website) and media releases.
23.6.4 The promotional phase has been highly successful from a number of angles. The use of the radio and creation of the ‘Ginja Ninja’ mascot has drawn in a number of interested organisations and people. These include Wanganui City Council staff and Mayor Annette Main; Department of Conservation staff from the Wanganui office; other HRC pest plant staff; a local recycling business that composts garden waste; a local botanist to describe the botanical aspects of the plant; a local gardening guru to talk on replacement plants after removal of the ginger from the garden. We managed to have all those mentioned appear live on radio talking enthusiastically about weeds. There was also the added value of a sponsored prize of a Matabi knapsack to the best respondent.
23.6.5 The 2013 programme has so far created the best response since the programme begun in 2011. The full impact of the programme will not be realised until early 2014 when a final report/analysis is prepared. The Wanganui urban weed programme is a twist on a standard weed awareness and promotion campaign that really gets results.
No ginger is safe with the Ginger Ninja on the case (Neil Gallagher)
Craig Davey ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – PLANTS
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