Riverbed Vegetation Control Programme 2024/2025

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 aerial work 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 2025.

The river channels involved are:

1. Mataura River and tributaries from the Titiroa Confluence to Robert Creek.
2. Oreti River and tributaries from the Ferry Road bridge to the confluence with the Windley River.
3. Aparima River and tributaries from the Riverton-Otautau Road Bridge to the Dunrobin Station Road Bridge.
4. Waiau River and tributaries from the mouth to the Mararoa Weir.
5. Mararoa River from the weir to the Kiwi Burn.
6. Whitestone River from the Mararoa confluence to Bushy Point.
7. Upukerora River from the lake confluence to the top end of Coal Pit Flat.
8. Waihopai, Otepuni and Kingswell Channels within Invercargill City boundaries.
9. 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 2024 and 6 January 2025.

For further information regarding the programme, please contact Paul Pollard at Environment Southland during office hours, phone toll free on 0800 76 88 45 or 03 211 5115 within the Invercargill area.

Wilma Falconer

Chief Executive