May 22, 2015

ORC running water quality drop-in sessions

The Otago Regional Council is holding a series of drop-in sessions throughout the region to give land managers an opportunity to discuss new water quality provisions in the Otago Water Plan and how they will affect them individually.

Sessions have already been held in Clinton (last Tuesday) and Tapanui (last night).

Further sessions are planned for Lawrence (Tuesday May 26, St John’s Hall, 1pm to 2.30pm); Balclutha (Wednesday June 10, Town and Country Club 6pm to 9pm); Outram (Thursday June 11, West Taieri Community Hall, 1pm to 4pm); Tarras (Tuesday June 23, Tarras War Memorial Community Centre, 1pm to 4pm); Alexandra (Tuesday June 23, Cellar Door, 6pm to 9pm); Ranfurly (Wednesday June 24, Hawkdun Lodge, 1pm to 4pm); and Oamaru (Thursday June 25, Hotel Brydone, 6pm to 9pm).

ORC chief executive Peter Bodeker said the sessions targeted farmers and foresters and anyone else potentially affected by the new provisions. They offered people a chance to drop in at any time over a period of up to three hours, and talk to staff from ORC’s community liaison and education, and compliance teams.

It was an opportunity for them to learn more about the water quality provisions, ask questions, and take part in small group discussions.

Mr Bodeker said having specialist ORC staff on hand would hopefully mean the potential range of questions and issues people might raise, were able to be answered.

“I hope as many land managers as possible are able to attend our remaining sessions.”

“I also hope that it is apparent that in providing this opportunity, we are demonstrating our desire to keep our lines of communication with land managers as open as possible,” Mr Bodeker said.

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