- Saturday 31 July 2010
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Swimming with the cows not on
A cow takes a swim in the Otara River as the rest of the herd graze on a public reserve in Wellington St. Picture: Supplied
By CHERIE TAYLOR in Rotorua
Opotiki children wanting to cool off during summer in the Otara River may have to continue dodging grazing stock to do so.
That is until the regional council introduces its rules on waterways and land plans early next year.
Wellington St resident Alex Dobie said a farmer who leased land either side of a public reserve from the Opotiki District Council was constantly flouting his lease by allowing his stock to graze on the land which provided access to the river.
The reserve and river was used by school children and families living nearby for recreational swimming but the bad farming practices of the farmer were putting them in danger, said Mr Dobie.
"The river will get so foul it won't be pleasant or safe to swim in," he said.
There was also an issue of young children being forced to negotiate the reserve with cows and their calves.
"It can be quite challenging for young kids walking through there. A cow with a young calf could have a go at one of them and they wouldn't stand a chance," he said.
Mr Dobie has notified both the Opotiki District Council and Environment Bay of Plenty about the problem.
"I have contacted them repeatedly to no avail.
It's just not right that a farmer can flout laws and continue to get away with allowing his stock in the river. There is sh** everywhere," he said.
Meanwhile, Opotiki District Council corporate services manager Donna Young said two complaints had been received about the issue and the farmer had been warned not to graze his stock on the reserve.
"We have told him he can only walk his stock through there to the paddocks on either side," she said.
There are no laws governing grazing on stop banks.
Environment Bay of Plenty regulation and resource manager Paul Dell said he had received a couple of complaints about the issue but the regional council's hands were tied until the rules on waterways and land plan was approved and passed.
The plan is expected to be in effect by early next year.
"We will continue to monitor what the district council is doing about the problem," he said.
When contacted by the Daily Post, farmer Gavin Young said he had "all the appropriate leases" and refused to comment any further.
Opotiki children wanting to cool off during summer in the Otara River may have to continue dodging grazing stock to do so.
That is until the regional council introduces its rules on waterways and land plans early next year.
Wellington St resident Alex Dobie said a farmer who leased land either side of a public reserve from the Opotiki District Council was constantly flouting his lease by allowing his stock to graze on the land which provided access to the river.
The reserve and river was used by school children and families living nearby for recreational swimming but the bad farming practices of the farmer were putting them in danger, said Mr Dobie.
"The river will get so foul it won't be pleasant or safe to swim in," he said.
There was also an issue of young children being forced to negotiate the reserve with cows and their calves.
"It can be quite challenging for young kids walking through there. A cow with a young calf could have a go at one of them and they wouldn't stand a chance," he said.
Mr Dobie has notified both the Opotiki District Council and Environment Bay of Plenty about the problem.
"I have contacted them repeatedly to no avail.
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Meanwhile, Opotiki District Council corporate services manager Donna Young said two complaints had been received about the issue and the farmer had been warned not to graze his stock on the reserve.
"We have told him he can only walk his stock through there to the paddocks on either side," she said.
There are no laws governing grazing on stop banks.
Environment Bay of Plenty regulation and resource manager Paul Dell said he had received a couple of complaints about the issue but the regional council's hands were tied until the rules on waterways and land plan was approved and passed.
The plan is expected to be in effect by early next year.
"We will continue to monitor what the district council is doing about the problem," he said.
When contacted by the Daily Post, farmer Gavin Young said he had "all the appropriate leases" and refused to comment any further.
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