Displaying items by tag: freshwater

DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says the dairy sector and our farmers share the same vision communities, Māori and Government have to protect and improve our freshwater resources.

The Government says it is taking action to stop the degradation of waterways and clean up rivers and lakes within a generation.

Simply keeping stock out of waterways arguably gives the “best bang for your buck” for water quality improvements, says DairyNZ Environment and catchment manager Aslan Wright-Stow.

Fences prevent stock from entering and dirtying the water, and plants growing behind the fences stabilise stream banks and block the movement of particles from land into streams.

Fonterra is backing a farmer-led project to protect water quality in Bay of Plenty lakes.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta outlines the Government’s moves to ensure safe drinking water and to reduce environmental damage from poorly treated wastewater.

Politicians are promising to improve water quality within five years.

OPINION: It’s time for all hands to the pump because improvement in rural landscapes and municipal areas is worth chasing together. 

Irrigators in the Manuherikia Valley, near Alexandra, hope they have managed to steer the Otago Regional Council away from setting an arbitrary allocation limit on the river that they believe would “devastate” the valley.

Dairy farmers are pleased that Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) results show improved water quality across the country.