13 November 2011

Greens reveal that councils are turning a blind eye to stock in waterways

Regional councils and unitary authorities issued only five infringement notices within the last twelve months in response to breaches of stock exclusion rules, revealed Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman today.

“Many councils are not enforcing the rules that they have in their regional plans regarding stock access to waterways,” said Dr Norman.

“Worse still, some councils do not have any rules in their plans and rely largely upon voluntary measures to keep stock out of the water and away from sensitive riparian margins.

Dr Norman attributes the ad hoc nature of stock access rules to a lack of clear national direction to councils by successive Governments.

“After years of inaction from previous Governments, the Green Party has a plan to clean up our rivers and lakes,” said Dr Norman.

“A key aspect of this plan is to require mandatory stock exclusion within 5 years. We would set up a fund to spend 100 million each year for 5 years to match farmers dollar for dollar on fencing and riparian planting investment.”

Dr Norman also claims that this information, obtained under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, indicates that councils are not taking the issue of stock access seriously.

“The fact that only five infringement notices have been issued in the entire country in the past twelve months shows that councils are turning a blind eye.

“I saw many instances of cows standing along riverbanks and in the water, while I travelled around New Zealand on my Dirty Rivers Rafting Tour last summer.

“Allowing stock access to waterways erodes riverbanks and provides a direct pathway for effluent to enter streams and rivers, contributing to deteriorating water quality and excessive nutrient levels.

“Furthermore, research has shown that cows are more likely to defecate in waterways than when they are on dry land, so it’s high time regional councils adopted more stringent rules and enforced them.

“Many farmers have invested time and capital into New Zealand’s waterways by fencing and planting riverbanks. It’s a shame to see their good work undermined by irresponsible operators and complacency from councils.”

References:
Green Party Clean Rivers Plan: www.greens.org.nz/cleanrivers
“Research has shown that cows are more likely to defaecate in waterways than when they are on dry land” Davies-Colley et al, 2004. http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/publications/journals/nzjm/2004/050/

ENDS

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