Tuesday, 24 June 2014 20:15

River group starts field trips

Written by Pamela Tipa

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER group working on ways to protect the Waikato and Waipa rivers has begun a series of field trips to help them understand the wider community's issues and perspectives.

The Collaborative Stakeholder Group (CSG) for the Healthy Rivers: Plan for Change/Wai Ora: He Rautaki Whakapaipai project is to develop recommendations for a regional plan change designed to manage land use affecting waterways.

The group visited the dairy farm of Tokoroa's George Moss this month. Moss is one of two dairy sector representatives on the CSG. He highlighted how operations on his farm related to water quality were managed.

Commenting on the visit, CSG chair Bill Wasley: "The key message for our group was that there is no one size fits all approach for dealing with farming's impact on water quality.

"In developing solutions, the group needs to be highly aware of the geographic, as well as the social and cultural, diversity in the Waikato and Waipa river catchments. Strong evidence-based science will be required to develop solutions for reducing impacts on water quality."

The next CSG visit will involve a trip to a King Country marae and getting an understanding of the characteristics of the Waipa catchment, while future field trips will include a sheep and beef farm, and tourism, recreation and energy facilities.

Meanwhile, the project's Technical Leaders Group of expert advisers has met for the first time and begun providing the CSG with information, including on the state of rivers and lakes in the catchments.

More like this

Urgent action needed to restore Waikato lakes' health

Waikato is home to a diverse range of lakes, and experts say they urgently need better management and restoration.

Waikato farmers tackle debt as interest rates fall, says Zonderop

Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair Matthew Zonderop says two consecutive years of a $10 milk price is fantastic for New Zealand agriculture.

Mixed season for Waikato contractors

Last season was a mixed bag for Waikato contractors, with early planted forage maize, planted on the dry soils around Cambridge, doing badly after germination and failing to meet potential, says Jeremy Rothery, Jackson Contracting.

Mocktails and menopause

For those rural women who feel menopause might be getting the best of them, a series of events is heading to the Waikato that could help.

A rollercoaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers

The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.

Featured

T&G Global returns to profitability

Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.

Urea plant faces forced closure over gas supply

One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.

Rural backlash over plan to cut police staffing

Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.

EPA proposes ban on weedkiller Chlorthal-Dimethyl

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).

DairyNZ thanks farm staff

August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.