Individuals who carry out illegal earthworks to realign or reclaim waterways may face prosecution and potentially a hefty fine, Taranaki Regional Council says. The warning was made after Judge Dickey in the New Plymouth District Court ordered dairy farmer Denis Goodwin to pay a fine of $42,000 after he previously admitted carrying out illegal earthworks on his Komene Road, Ōkato, farm. Goodwin admitted three charges of breaching the Resource Management Act 1991 by discharging sediment (a
11,430 plants and 8.5km of fencing, protecing nearly 17km of stream banks. The couple have retired the hillsides at the back of the farm to encourage biodiversity, slope stability and the protection of waterways. There are wide buffers around waterways and drains have also been planted. The planting has helped to improve biodiversity on the farm. Tony and Lorraine, who run about 350 cows each season, regularly hold discussions with other dairy farmers to keep up to date with improvements in the dairy
on at least one side. Improvements in water quality include a decline in water temperatures over the summer, reduced sediment and a lowering of nutrient run off. Mathew and Vanessa Vujcich - for a significant contribution to the protection and enhancement of precious native habitats in Taranaki and enlisting landowner support for these efforts. Vanessa and Mat Vujcich take a holistic approach to farming. They have given over around a third of their 100ha beef farm near Inglewood to biodiversity
pre-existing TRC Farm Plan for the property and two years later it’s all but complete. With support from the STRESS erosion scheme they’ve erected 1500 metres of fences to retire 84 hectares of native bush, 29 hectares of reversion and 4.8ha of pine forestry on highly-erodible land. They’ve also stabilised soil in the easier hillcountry land by planting 100 poplar and willow poles. These allow grazing to continue but reduce the risk of eroded sediment contaminating waterways and making floods more likely.
The mauri and health of our rivers and streams is highly valued and is vital to the well-being, livelihood and lifestyle of everyone in the Taranaki region. David MacLeod. There is plenty of interest and public discussion around the water quality in our rivers and streams. And so, as the manager of the freshwater resource, the Taranaki Regional Council closely monitors waterway quality to ensure that the discussion, as well as the Council’s own decision making, is well informed by fact and
The mauri and health of our rivers and streams are highly valued and are vital to the well-being, livelihood and lifestyle of everyone in the Taranaki region. David MacLeod. There is plenty of interest and public discussion around the water quality in our rivers and streams. And so, as the manager of the freshwater resource, the Taranaki Regional Council closely monitors waterway quality to ensure that the discussion, as well as the Council’s own decision making, is well informed by fact and
Find out more about the work of Glenn and Lynda Howatson in the eastern hill country in Taranaki. WinnerGlenn and Lynda Howatson - For leadership and excellence in environmental stewardship or sustainable farming and land use practices. The eastern hill country farmers have planted more than 7,000 riparian plants and fenced hundreds of metres of waterways and taken steps to protect six wetlands. They hold a TRC Comprehensive Farm Plan and have used STRESS funding to plant trees on 37ha on their
suspended and deposited sediment can trigger algal blooms in rivers and
lakes. Additionally, excessive sediment can reduce the water’s suitability for human uses, such as drinking
and swimming.
Fine sediment is primarily comprised of fine inorganic particles of clay and silt with a grain size of less than
2mm in diameter. Sediment is introduced to waterways via erosion and runoff, or directly via discharges.
Waterways appear muddy as a result of fine sediment and particulate organic
streambed sedimentation. The proposals have now been modified, and the Government considers the implementation of widespread improvements in land management will achieve the re-worked targets. The Council remains concerned about potential sediment levels in any new regulations. The soils of Taranaki’s eastern hill country are naturally highly erodible when left exposed without tree cover. Slumping and landslips are routine without soil conservation measures in place, causing waterways to carry high
Additionally, excessive sediment can reduce the water’s suitability for human uses, such as drinking and
swimming.
Fine sediment is primarily comprised of fine inorganic particles of clay and silt with a grain size of less than 2
mm in diameter. Sediment is introduced to waterways via erosion and runoff, or directly via discharges.
Waterways appear muddy as a result of fine sediment and particulate organic matter suspended in the water
column. Fine sediment will eventually settle out,