Companies fined $55.5k

A Waikato dairy farming company and an earthworks company have each been convicted and fined for carrying out illegal earthworks in a stream.

Okawa Ltd was fined $31,550 and Greener Earthmoving Ltd

$24,150 for the unlawful works in the Mangakaeo Stream, near O¯ torohanga. The earthworks were over a kilometre in length and caused significant environmental damage to the stream, breaching the Resource Management Act, a Waikato Regional Council statement said.

The prosecution was brought by Waikato Regional Council following a site inspection in June

2017.

WRC investigations manager Patrick Lynch said the farm owner engaged a contractor to carry out maintenance work on his property.

He added both parties should have known better than to carry out the work under the pretence of cleaning farm drains.

‘‘There are very clear restrictions around what work can be done in and around freshwater streams in the Waikato region,’’ Lynch said.

‘‘These are not drains, they are streams. Landowners and earthworks contractors need to appreciate the difference or risk facing similar penalties.’’

Lynch said council staff receive calls weekly from the public highlighting people who seem to be doing illegal work on streams.

‘‘Once again, these are not drains. They are not man-made. They are a natural source that supports an ecosystem and, ultimately, the streams run back to our main rivers, such as Waipa, Waikato, Waihou.

‘‘So much work has been done to improve our water quality and this kind of activity is doing the exact opposite.’’

In the Hamilton District Court, Judge Melanie Harland said the case was a warning to the farming and earthmoving industries, saying the ‘‘need for caution when excavating water bodies has still not been fully appreciated’’.

Lynch said the fines were big – a significant warning to farmers and contractors.

‘‘The judge is sending a clear message. We keep putting them before the courts, but it doesn’t seem to be sinking in.’’

A Greener Earthmoving Ltd spokesman did not want to comment further. Okawa Farm Ltd has been contacted for comment.

Lynch urged anyone who has doubts about what can and can’t be done around streams to contact Waikato Regional Council before starting work.Waikato Regional Council has a series of one-day workshops planned for July and August, focusing on practical and planning erosion and sediment control.

‘‘There are very clear restrictions around what work can be done in and around freshwater streams in the Waikato region.’’

Patrick Lynch