Joint call for clean, safe roads, waterways

Dairy farmers, sharemilkers and truckies have been urged to keep southern roads and waterways effluent-free and safe over the next two months.

The message comes from the Otago Regional Council and Southern district police as Gypsy Week in late May draws near.

Stock movement on Otago roads greatly increased at this time of year as dairy farmers and sharemilkers transported stock to new farms and wintering blocks, the organisations said.

This caused slippery roads and the risk to motorists from effluent spilled from stock trucks soiling vehicles and affecting driver visibility.

And waterways could become polluted by spillages.

Southern district acting road policing manager Senior Sergeant Steve Larking urged truck drivers to make use of the ORC's network of seven effluent disposal sites to empty tanks before they spilled.

He also urged motorists to take extra care while driving during this period because effluent and other material could create ''hazardous road conditions''.

As winter approached, the effluent could freeze and make roads ''especially slippery''.

Police would monitor stock transportation and carry out enforcement where appropriate, he said.

ORC director environmental monitoring and operations Jeff Donaldson said several organisations, including Federated Farmers, were promoting positive messages about stock handling.

The key point was that stock being moved from one property to another should be stood off pasture for 12 hours before being transported.

Many people were doing the right thing but a few contractors and farmers were letting others down, he said.

Motorists can report stock effluent spills to the ORC pollution hotline on 0800 800 033.

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