Smelly river prompts cleanup call

A call from Greens co-leader Russel Norman for improved protection of the region's waterways, after kayaking on a river smelling of cow faeces, has gained traction with councils and Federated Farmers.

In a column on the Eco Issues page of today's Times, Dr Norman describes his "Dirty Rivers Rafting Tour" last month of the Waihou River, from its "incredibly pure and startlingly blue" source near Putaruru to past Te Aroha.

Dr Norman notes the increasing discoloration of the river as it winds north through intensive farmland and laments "the Waihou (river) benefits from precious little riparian vegetation other than low-lying shrubs and grasses".

He describes many New Zealand rivers as "full of waste, agricultural and industrial pollution, and rubbish, lacking the abundance and diversity of fish, birds, shellfish and crayfish that once filled them with life", and notes the stench of cow faeces hanging over the Waihou at one site.

Dr Norman also notes Federated Farmers' initial opposition to a Matamata- Piako District Council annual plan rule which introduced a 20-metre wide kaitiaki (conservation) zone on either side of the river, to allow stabilisation of the banks through re-vegetation.

Federated Farmers' dairy council chairman Lachlan McKenzie said "riparian fencing and selected planting on the Waikato region's waterways makes tremendous sense" and conceded some farmers did not do enough to retain water quality".

However, Mr McKenzie defended his organisation's concerns about the kaitiaki zone, saying it would have created a "lose-lose situation".

"The 20m-wide zone extended into farms, incorporating tens of thousands of hectares that would have been confiscated from its rightful owners. Federated Farmers suggested the zone could be reduced to 5m and we would agree to stock exclusion. This would have achieved the majority of the benefits that council desired but it didn't take up the offer."

He added: "I also suggest he (Dr Norman) takes a long hard look at the impact of municipal sewerage discharges on water quality and shift his focus to more scientifically based decision making. Surely he is keen to raise awareness about the effect urban and industrial discharges have on our waterways, too?"

Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley said Dr Norman's concerns were raised as the council and regional community was looking at ramping up efforts to clean up regional rivers.

"The upper reaches of the Waihou – including the Blue Springs – are one of the key areas EW is keen to protect through the regional policy statement process."

Matamata-Piako District Council chief executive Don McLeod said a review of the kaitiaki zone was under way through a working party.

"Everyone agrees that water quality is important but it is a question as to what practical things can be done and how best to achieve that."

- © Fairfax NZ News