That's the message from Nick Smith who believes that the public don't want to hear that kind of dirty talk. He's told Bryce Johnson of Fish & Game NZ to give up the old battle to clean up the rivers and just trust the Government. National, says Smith, has sternly told regional councils to get it sorted and by golly they will...eventually, but the F&G chief executive is not convinced and neither is anyone else who has been watching the deterioration of the rivers (Manawatu anyone?) and the explosion of dairying throughout the country. Here in Southland, we're in for it - our cow numbers have shot up frighteningly - we're now supporting six and a half times as many dairy cows as we had six years ago. Waituna is testament to what can result from that sort of development.
"No natural system can support that number of cows."
Many rivers, including the Manawatu, Rakaia and Waikato, were under threat, Bryce said.
Federated Farmers water issues spokesman Ian MacKenzie said farmers were as keen as any group to improve water
quality.
"Nobody wants to see Lake Taupo turn into a cesspit."
However, pollution came from many sources, including industry and urban development.
"This just seems to be grandstanding."
Grandstanding indeed.
Labour's water spokesman, Brendon Burns, said the report made a mockery of Government promises to improve water quality.
"Nick Smith has ripped the guts out of the inquiry advice, and ... his handling of this actually means water quality across our streams, rivers and lakes will continue to get worse."
The Greens signalled the same thing well before the release of the national policy for freshwater management. "Toothless" was a phrase that seemed to suit and that's seemingly what we've now got - a direction to get on with the job and a set of gums to do it with.
The Stuff report is here and it's well worth reading.
4 comments:
The two comments on the following site bring to attention a problem, which it appears, Environment Councils would rather ignore.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/5350819/Grazing-rules-allow-contamination?comment_msg=posted
These two comments Tired?
Annette Gunther #2 09:53 pm Jul 29 2011
Agreed goron Years ago Cr Rodway ran a most excellent day where we tested water from the smallest stream near Hedgehope through to more populated areas. The most interesting fact I remember was the pollutants that found their way into streams from road ways. It was a considerable amount. I truly wonder how many councillors actually understand the big picture. Talk is easy and cheap. I am in Wiltshire at present and on my daily walks in built up areas I see so much filth and rubbish in waterways I wonder if anything is done about it here.
goron #1 10:16 pm Jul 28 2011
Crs Rodway, Guyton and Cockburn - to be consistent when are you going to do something about the pollution coming from the millions of vehicles running over the roading network,polluting our ground water?
Farmers are an easy target for your bullying tactics."
In fact the issue of contaminants washing off roads and into waterways has engaged us for more than one afternoon's debate, during which time those councillors named argued strongly for changes to be made there too.
In my view, both those situations are unacceptable and should be improved upon. Comments by Annette (whom I know well) and goron are a little short of the mark, in that they've not taken that fact into account. Not that I mind, all discussion is good and challenging statements the stuff of progress!
Full marks for a quick response.
A pity Gore District Council doesn't adopt the same approach.
Perhaps its my Solid Energy Tie?.
You should pass it on to someone who will use it to full effect :-)
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