Baleage lost in floods
Baleage from farms washed into Foveaux Strait during Southland’s floods last month.
And, one farmer reported 600 bales washed up on his farm after the Mataura River burst its banks.
As a result, Environment Southland will roll out an education programme about storing baleage on flood plains.
A report tabled by Environment Southland land and water services manager Fiona Young and principal land sustainability officer Karl Erikson at the council’s Regional Services Committee meeting yesterday says recent severe flooding experienced in Southland saw widespread damage to properties and assets, particularly in rural areas.
Baleage was strewn across the floodplain and left a considerable mess in places, with some ending up in Foveaux Strait.
Anecdotally, following the flood, 600 bales were moved onto one property in the Lower
Mataura, and calls to an 0508 number cumulatively recorded up to 2000 bales as being relocated.
To add to this, there are properties where baleage wrap and netting had been strewn across fence lines or in trees, the report says. ‘‘The baleage issue suggests that our community, especially those in the inundation areas, would benefit from education and awareness of the reasons for ensuring there are no obstacles that could impede the flow of water, or be at risk of being relocated.’’
The regional council was currently implementing a wintering communications plan, considering the Southland Flood Protection and Drainage Management Bylaw, and moving into the winter phase of its Spotlight on Wintering Project.
The wintering communications plan was being updated to include messaging around baleage placement and the inundation areas. It would be distributed through a number of events with partners targeting the rural community, and through the River Liaison Committees.