Solid Energy supports streamside protection

10 May 2007

Solid Energy supports streamside protection in Southland’s Waiau catchment

Solid Energy is supporting a Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust project with a $15,000 grant to fence tributary streams near Ohai, Southland.

Trust Field Officer, Mark Sutton, says Solid Energy’s support will enable the Trust and local farmers and landowners to erect fencing worth $60,000 alongside the Morley Stream near Ohai and downstream on tributaries of the Orauea River.

Over the last seven years the Trust has been working with Southland landowners to improve the Waiau catchment’s habitat and water quality, with a programme of subsidised fencing that protects tributary waterways, wetlands and forested areas from pollution and damage from stock and other agricultural activity. So far, the Trust has paid out about $135,000 in subsidies, resulting in almost 70km of fencing.

Mark Pizey, Solid Energy’s National Environmental Manager, says the Waiau project is a good fit with other environmental enhancement work being done by the company in Southland.

“The Trust has a strong record of achievement in this area and effective relationships with landowners and local government,” he says. “Where we can, we like to support existing programmes in our local communities that are having a positive impact and I would encourage other organisations to also support this very positive project.

“Solid Energy has worked hard to ensure water quality associated with mining operations meets the highest standards and this association with the Trust enhances that. At Ohai Mine, recent work on the Morley Stream includes streamside scrub clearance, fencing and replanting with appropriate native species. A walking track is also being established,” Mr Pizey says. “On our farmland around Mataura, we’re also fencing to ensure the small waterways running through those properties are not damaged by stock.”

David and Sandy MacGillivray are using the support from the Trust to fence off a section of the Fenham Stream on their sheep and deer farm near Orawia. “We’ve got one bigger stream and about four creeks off that which need fencing. Without this support we definitely wouldn’t have been able to do as much,” David says.

Photo caption: Waiau Enhancement Trust Field Officer Mark Sutton, left; Barry Sayers, Solid Energy’s Environmental Coordinator at Ohai Mine; and Orawia farmer David MacGillivray discuss water quality. This section of the Fenham Stream is being fenced with assistance from Solid Energy and the Trust.

ENDS

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