20 May 2019
Healthy waterways and safe roads paramount when moving stock for winter
Good water quality is everyone’s responsibility, and water is the Otago Regional Council’s number one priority.
The Otago Regional Council (ORC) wants to remind farmers and stock truck drivers of good practice when moving stock for
the start of winter on what’s known in the community as “Gypsy Day”.
The mass movement of stock and equipment between farming properties can lead to effluent on roads, which is a safety
hazard and has the potential to pollute our waterways.
ORC General Manager Regulatory, Peter Winder, said there were a few simple ways to minimise effluent spillage.
“To reduce the risk of effluent sloshing out onto roads, stock owners are encouraged to stand stock before trucking
them.
“We also encourage truck drivers to make use of the network of stock truck effluent disposal sites across Otago. There
are now eight of these sites in the region, with the SH85 site at Brassknocker Road recently becoming operational,” said
Mr Winder.
Those transporting stock along the roads also need to keep them out of roadside drains to avoid sediment and effluent
entering waterways.
ENDS