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Horizons Regional Council

Friday 18 October, 201

Horizons offers advice for farm clean-up

Horizons Regional Council is offering advice to farmers as many start thinking about farm clean-up following flooding throughout the Region earlier this week.

Horizons regulatory manager Richard Munneke says some farmers may be facing anything from rebuilding of bridges and culverts, to dead stock and land slips.

“We’d like to help farmers get through the clean-up faze as quickly as possible. In light of the floods, if there are minor replacement works that need to be done we won’t be requiring farmers to get a resource consent provided they are rebuilding what was there originally,” says Mr Munneke.

“However, some of the bridges and culverts that have failed or blown out may have done so because the culvert diameter was too small or the bridge was too low. 

“In these cases the replacement bridge or culvert may need to have a greater waterway area to prevent future flood damage. If you think this may apply on your property, give us a call and we’ll have a quick chat about options to minimise future failures and blowouts.”

Mr Munneke says there may also be some dead stock to deal with and this can be done straight away.

“If there’s a need to bury dead stock that’s fine so long as its 20 metres from a water course and 1 metre above the water table,” he says.

“We can also provide advice on any issues with flood waters not draining away, so if you are facing this please give us a call. Our website offers information about how to deal with flood damaged pasture and slips as well.

“Finally don’t forget your local Horizons land management officer can come out and visit your farm if you need some ‘on the ground’ advice.”

Enquiries about rebuilding of bridges or culverts can be directed to Horizons consents team on free phone 0508 800 800. Visit www.horizons.govt.nz for information regarding flood damaged pasture, slips and re-grassing.

ENDS

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