We’re all responsible for quality

issues such as land intensification, wintering and tile drainage, which are raised in our engagement document Towards a new plan – water and land.

Generally there’s been a really good turnout at the sessions and more have been scheduled to provide further opportunities for discussion and feedback.

There’s been positive conversations about the issues and people are providing their ideas about practical and sensible solutions. Thanks to all of you who have attended the sessions at a busy time of year, it’s been really helpful.

Some people are telling us they believe we’ll get the water quality gains needed solely by using good on-farm management practices, but it isn’t as simple as this.

We know from research that even if everyone adopts good management practices, the management of land use intensification and wintering in some areas has to improve to achieve the gains we need to hold the line on water quality. This is explained in more detail in our factsheet, ‘‘Mitigating on-farm losses and land use change’’, available on our website.

And when it comes to good land management Environment Southland aims to lead by example.

The council owns some 4671 hectares on behalf of ratepayers as part of its flood protection schemes, much of which is leased to farmers.

These land holdings are situated in the lower Mataura and lower Oreti catchments, and the Winton Channel, Waihopai River, Otepuni Stream and Kingswell Creek areas. Generally, they are the end of catchments to allow for the ponding of floodwaters.

Consequently, this flood-prone land is challenging to farm; some years it can be repeatedly inundated by floodwaters.

We have some great farmers leasing these properties.

They understand very well the nature of the land and many demonstrate a high degree of care for the environment. In 2005 we began implementing Farm Environment Plans, with our 50-odd lease holders.

These plans provide for nutrient budgets, stock water schemes, vegetation and riparian fencing, soil and drain mapping.

Environment Southland pays for the fencing and water scheme material, and the labour is usually provided by the lessee.

While some areas of land are still being developed, overall, there’s been a pretty impressive effort.

A total of 111,835 metres of fencing has been completed, 94,410 metres is partly completed, and there is just 20,640 metres left to do.

Most of it is riparian fencing to exclude stock from waterways, but there is also some fencing that protects areas with biodiversity values.

Five such areas in the lower Mataura catchment have QEII covenants. Southland’s economy is and will continue to be based largely on agriculture.

There are many advantages and some challenges, but when it comes to improving water quality, we all have a responsibility to do our bit.