Annual Weed Spraying Programme

Riverbed Vegetation Control Programme 2022/2023 Mataura, Oreti, Aparima, Waiau, and Te Anau Basin Rivers

Adjacent property owners and other users of the river channels listed are advised that helicopter and ground based spraying is to be carried out within the flood fairways of these rivers. This is to control vegetation which may affect the passage of flood water.

Plants targeted throughout the programme are gorse, broom and self-sown willow.

The aerialwork required on each channel should take three to five days to complete if the weather is suitable. The work may commence from late September onwards depending on weather conditions and should be finished by the end of March 2023.

The river channels involved are:

• Mataura River and tributaries from the Titiroa confluence to Robert Creek.
• Oreti River and tributaries from the Ferry Rd bridge to the confluence with the Windley River.
• Aparima River and tributaries from the Riverton Otautau Rd bridge to the Dunrobin Station Rd bridge.
• Waiau River and tributaries from the mouth to the Mararoa weir.
• Mararoa River from the weir to the Kiwi Burn.
• Whitestone River from the Mararoa confluence to Bushy Point.
• Upukerora River from the lake confluence to the top end of Coal Pit Flat.
• Waihopai, Otepuni and Kingswell Channels within Invercargill City boundaries.
• Makarewa River and tributaries from West Plains to the headwaters.

There will be a break in the programme over the Christmas period between 23 December 2022 and4 January 2023.

For further information regarding the programme, please contact Paul Pollard at Environment Southland during office hours, phone toll free on 0800 768845 or 211-5115 within the Invercargill area.

Wilma Falconer

Chief Executive