“We’re focusing on the lowland areas of Southland at the moment and will have discussions with hill country farmers soon.”
Required management of waterways depended on their classifications and she said council staff were available to go onfarm to help identify whether waterways were natural or artificial.
“We want to keep sediment, bacteria, nitrogen and phosphorous out of waterways to keep our rivers clean. We know we have a problem with tile drains in Southland as they can transport nutrients very easily and quickly to our rivers.”
Environment Southland’s land sustainability officer Anastazia Raymond showed the group how to plant a riparian strip.
“Spot spray, about a metre in diameter, where you are going to plant the grasses or trees first,” she said.
“If you spray the whole bank you are going to get run-off into the waterway and possibly lose the bank stability.
“Also rabbits and hares don’t like long wet grass. If you spray the whole bank you are making them a highway to something good to eat.”
She said she had found younger plants established quicker, especially when they were correctly staked and planted with plant protectors. She preferred to plant flax, toitois, cabbage trees, hebes and other native plants.
“If you only plant one side of the drain then you can still get a digger in to clean the drain out if it’s needed without destroying the plantings. Fish don’t like living in water above 13C so shading the water keeps it cooler and this helps keep the waterway healthy.”
Young said while riparian planting was not being enforced by the council, farmers should be thinking about ways to improve their water management onfarm.
“You can just do the minimum but if you go one step further, then you will be ready for any potential changes to requirements.”
