Tuesday, 24 June 2014 20:15

River group starts field trips

Written by 

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

Taupiri Farmers Chase Ownership After Awards Success

For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.

Political Points

OPINION: Staying on Plan Change 1, NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones took to social media to gain some political points.

Featured

Taupiri Farmers Chase Ownership After Awards Success

For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.

Ballance Urges Farmers to Plan Ahead for El Niño

With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

'LinkedIn Greens'

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…

UK Warning

OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter