Working together

Collaborative approaches are working well, but increasingly dry conditions mean Otago farmers, rivers and aquatic life are facing "difficult'' times.

That comment came yesterday from Otago Fish and Game environmental officer Peter Wilson.

Mr Wilson was one of several representatives who attended an "agency briefing'', on the dry conditions, involving members of the Low River Flow Stakeholder Group, at Otago Regional Council premises yesterday.

Minimum flow levels had already been reached by several Otago rivers, including the Shag River.

Minimum flows had been determined to ensure that something was left "for the river'' and that some fish and aquatic life could survive, he said.

Federated Farmers Otago provincial president Phill Hunt said the briefing was valuable and showed farmers and other water users were working well together, including through community groups, and with the council.

The briefing helped everyone become better informed, and "the more informed we all can be the better for the whole community'', he said.

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