May 23, 2016

Keep Otago’s roads clean and safe

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) is urging dairy farmers, sharemilkers, and truckies to keep southern roads and waterways safe and effluent-free during Gypsy Week.

As part of the annual winter grazing and farm changeover, which happens from now until early June, many sharemilkers are shifting stock between Southland, Central Otago, and North Otago.

To minimise the likelihood of effluent spilling onto roads, ORC reminds all dairy farmers transferring stock to ensure animals are prepared properly before cartage, by standing them off green feed overnight.

ORC director environmental monitoring and operations Scott MacLean said motorists often complained to the council at this time of the year because their cars had been soiled by effluent spilled on local roads.

“We have done all we can to make things easier for truckies to dispose of their effluent, as we have seven effluent storage tank sites in Otago, and propose to build more of these sites over the next few years,” Mr MacLean said.

Effluent spillages are hazardous as roads can become slippery and treacherous, and even more so during frosts, particularly for motorcyclists.

“Farmers and truckies need to take the necessary simple steps to avoid spills. These include standing stock before moving them, and avoiding overflow from truck effluent storage tanks,” Mr MacLean said.

If people are concerned that effluent has entered a waterway, they should call the ORC Pollution Hotline on 0800 800 033.

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