Waituna workshop with dairy partners
Posted on Thursday, 29 September 2011 09:29 a.m.
Environment Southland and representatives from the dairy industry are holding a workshop next month to discuss progress on several collaborative projects underway as part of efforts to save the Waituna Lagoon.
Senior Resource Planner Fiona Young said that the principles of partnership and collaboration with stakeholders, the community and other agencies were key parts of the Waituna response.
She listed 13 projects underway in the Waituna catchment, 10 of which involve Environment Southland staff, and ranging from on-farm assessments to developing new policies to address the effects of intensification and nutrient management. Several other projects and activities were also being carried out by agencies such as Fonterra and DairyNZ that would help Waituna landowners.
Cr Jan Riddell said that each of the joint projects should have clear rules about reporting progress, including responsibilities and deadlines.
Chairman Ali Timms commented that it was difficult to combine swift action with collaboration. “We might end up with our feet both sides of the electric fence, and it’s not a good place to be,” she quipped.
Cr Grant Hubber asked for more publicity about the positive actions that farmers were undertaking, to encourage others to follow their example. “Some people are doing the right thing,” he said.
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.