Community meetings are being held across North and East Otago to help farmers and other landowners prepare for new freshwater farm plan regulations.

On February 1 next year, the regulations will go live in the North Otago Freshwater Management Unit (FMU), and all farms with 20 hectares or more in arable or pastoral use, 5ha or more in horticultural use, or 20ha or more of combined use, will require a freshwater farm plan.

An FMU is an area around a water body or multiple water bodies of a manageable size where freshwater objectives and limits will be set. Otago is divided into five FMUs.

Farmers and landowners who may need a farm plan in the North Otago FMU will soon receive a letter from ORC with details about the new regulations, the resources available to help them through this new process, and an invitation to upcoming meetings where they can ask questions and learn more.

The letters are part of ORC’s wider communications around freshwater farm plans and designed to educate those who may need a freshwater farm plan, ORC Environmental Implementation manager Libby Caldwell said.

“We look forward to talking about farm plans at these meetings and are here to help farmers and growers with what to expect.” 

As the first area in Otago to need freshwater farm plans, the council has been working alongside local catchment groups and irrigation companies in North and East Otago to organise meetings with local farmers who may be impacted by the new regulations.

While the current focus is North Otago, Libby encourages anyone in Otago with questions about farm plans to get in touch with the council.

“These meetings will be open to anyone in the community who wishes to learn more about these plans, timeframes, and the process in which to complete them,” Libby said. 

“We’re excited to continue to work with our community and the catchment and irrigation companies to support them with these new regulations.”

If people have any questions or concerns about the regulations, or the letter then they are encouraged to contact the council or attend one of the meetings below.

Community Meetings run by North Otago Sustainable Land Management (Noslam) are as follows:

Weston - Weston Hall, Tuesday, October 31 11am-1pm (light lunch provided);

Papakaio - Papakaio Community Hall - Wednesday, November 1, 11am-1pm (light lunch provided);

Hampden - Hampden and District Community Centre, Thursday, November 2, 11am-1pm (light lunch provided).

East Otago Catchment Group community meetings are as follows:

Shag Valley - Shag Valley Station Woolshed (2353 Dunback-Morrisons Road) Thursday, November 9, 10am-11.30am; 

Palmerston - Palmerston Community Centre, Monday, November 13, 1pm-2.30pm;

Macraes - Macraes Sports Pavilion, Tuesday, November 14, 1pm-2.30pm;

Waikouaiti - Four Rivers Farms Woolshed (McGrath Road - look for the flags), Tuesday, November 28, 1pm-2.30pm.

Read more about the confirmed rollout here and further information on freshwater farm plans including a FAQ section on the Otago Regional Council website.

Support for farmers and landowners can also be found at Ministry for the Environment (MfE).