Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) annual winter farm flyovers are set to begin within the next three weeks, with a focus on land disturbance activities.

As with previous years, the flyovers will be looking at intensive winter grazing, machinery working in or around streams, rivers and wetlands, and forestry, ORC compliance manager Carlo Bell said.

ORC undertakes compliance flights every year to gain a bird’s eye view on land use in districts around the region to identify any potential risks to water quality.

Carlo said following the flyovers, staff will assess the information and undertake site visits and follow ups on any potential high-risk sites to ‘ground truth’ observations and check compliance.

The flyovers are an effective way to look at activities across the region from forestry to winter grazing to ensure they are operating the way they should be, he said.

“The flyovers are one tool in our compliance tool box and have been a long-standing part of our compliance work programme.”

He acknowledged that the government has recently changed the regulations for intensive winter grazing activities, and encouraged Otago farmers to continue with their best management practices.

“We know farmers are well set for this winter and have grazing plans in place and are able to maintain the gains put in place from previous gazing seasons. While the regulations have changed, good practice hasn’t changed,” he said.

Anyone who sees pollution of a waterway is encouraged to call ORC’s 24/7 pollution hotline on 0800 800 033, or email [email protected].

PHOTO: ORC