Annual land disturbance flyovers being undertaken by the Otago Regional Council compliance team in the next few weeks, is one tool used to check any risks to waterways.

But Dunstan ward councillor and farmer Gary Kelliher believes the flyovers were an invasion of privacy and has criticised his council of being excessive.

“By my reading of what is now described as ‘land disturbance flyovers,’ this seems to be a substantial overreach from what the flyovers were previously, which I understood to be a visual assessment from the air of winter grazing practices.”

But general manager environmental delivery Joanna Gilroy defended the allegations and said the scope of the flyovers was the same as with the previous years, and was the visual assessment of activities such as intensive winter grazing and forestry. 

…“as with our standard approach to compliance activities, any follow ups will start with education and any actions will be considered in line with our compliance and enforcement policy.”

Manager compliance Carlo Bell said the ORC carried out compliance flights every year to gain a bird’s eye view on land use in districts around the region, to identify any potential risks to water quality.

“These flyovers are an effective way to look at activities across the region from forestry to winter grazing, that they’re operating the way they should be.”

Carlo acknowledged that the Government had recently changed the regulations relating to Intensive Winter Grazing, and encouraged Otago farmers to continue with their best management practices.

“We know farmers are well set for this winter and have grazing plans in place and are able to maintain the gains put in place from previous gazing seasons. While the regulations have changed, good practice hasn’t changed.”

The compliance programme would continue to focus on education where appropriate, “however, the worse the effect on the environment the more likely that enforcement tools will be considered.”

Anyone who sees pollution of a waterway is encouraged to call the ORC’s 24/7 pollution hotline on 0800 800 033, or email [email protected].

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