schemes: one to support the planting of stream riparian
margins, the other to stabilise erosion-prone land.
To date, the Council has provided more than seven million
native plants to plan holders at cost to reduce streambank
erosion. Additionally, around 75,000 poplar and willow poles
have been provided to hill country planholders for open-
South Taranaki Regional Erosion Support
Scheme (STRESS)
In 2009, South Taranaki Regional Erosion Support Scheme
(STRESS) grants became
page
TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL NEWSLETTER September 2015 No. 98
Storm relief hits spot
The Taranaki Regional Council’s $500,000
Storm Recovery Package has struck a chord
with farmers whose properties were
damaged in the widespread flooding and
slips in June.
More than three-quarters of the funding
package had been allocated by the end of
August, to cover replacement of riparian
plants, poplar poles and retirement fencing
lost or damaged in the storm.
vegetated where recommended. The hill country programme is progressing and
delivery of the STRESS targets is on target. This includes the completion of hill country farmer advisory group meetings and the pole
harvest and dispatch of around 4,000 hill country poplar poles. Work is progressing on the refinement of the criteria for a riparian
compliance certificate. The development of new mobile field technology for both the riparian and hill country programmes is underway
and will be
… more recently the
South Taranaki and Regional Erosion Support Scheme.
Pasture covers 436 hectares but steep, erosion-prone land
is put to other uses. Fifty-seven hectares of native bush has
been fenced and another 63 hectares of bush and 20
hectares of scrub have been retained. Over 25 years, 90
hectares of production forestry has been established and
in 2013, a further 4.5 hectares was fenced and planted.
They've planted 520 poplar poles to shelter stock and
consultation with the South Taranaki District Council to clear willow growth and maintain an adequate
channel for the river in the vicinity of the Waitotara Township.
page
Very little if any works were undertaken to clear the heavily congested channel of willows and poplars
until 2005 in response to the large of devastating flood in 2004.
2.1. The 2004 flood
The 2004 flood was considered to have been the most significant flood event in living memory in the
Waitotara
TRC Annual Report 2017/2018 - community outcomes
… erodible soils may seem
considerable challenges, but sustainable and profitable
farming is still possible. Campbell and Jodene McCowan
work hard to achieve it on their 118 hectare frontal hill-
country farm at Huiroa, inland from Stratford. By using
their TRC Farm Plan and with assistance via the STRESS
erosion scheme, the McCowans are reducing threats to
water quality from soil erosion and flooding. They're
planting scores of poplar and willow poles to hold soil,
fencing and
unsuitable means of disposal, resulting in high faecal
coliform counts at the mouth of the Wai-iti Stream. This inadequate treatment led to the development of
the new multiple soakage trench system on the hillside which was commissioned in 1991. More recently this
has been extended, and another soakage field has been created in the Olive Grove on the other side of the
hillside to allow the Retreat to spread the load across a wider area.
1.2.1 Rock wall
The current consent (6462-2.0) provides
Council Land Management Officer Kevin
Cash helps them work out how to achieve
their goals and protect their soil.
To date, the Bielskis have planted 21,000
eucalyptus trees over 22ha, let 15ha revert to
manuka, placed a QE2 covenant on 54.2ha of
manuka and regenerating native forest, fenced
those areas, and planted hundreds of poplars
and willows in consultation with Kevin.
The poles and trees help hold hillsides
together, the Bielskis get income from
Legislation.
• Advanced knowledge of rural activities and farm systems.
• Working knowledge of the wetland delineation method.
• Advanced knowledge of wetland types and their functions.
• Advanced knowledge of farm, best management practices.
• Advanced knowledge of native plants and exotic poplars and willows used
for soil conservation.
page
• Advanced knowledge of internal software products.
Personal
attributes
• Self-motivated
• Adaptable
• Strong initiative
•