The River of Effluent


Recently we were surprised to learn that so called "islands" in Westland's wild and scenic rivers are being used for "standoff pads".
The purpose of a standoff pad is to move cows off the farm during winter. This means that grass can be saved for the spring.
Why would a farmer need to do that? Because some farmers have more stock than their farm can comfortably graze during the winter.
Overstocked farmers want to reap the profits at the risk of our environment. They have taken over parts of the river for their own benefit.

What are the Islands?

They are really nothing more than just shingle banks that are slightly above flow level. They are regularly submerged by flood.
The use of the islands in this way is totally unacceptable. Because cows are "stood off" there and have no grass they are feed silage.
Cows stood off are kept in a small area increasing dramatically the amount of effluent all in one place.
This runs off into the river either by natural drainage or flooding.

Rivers are rivers even if the river is not visible. Just dig down a little way in these free stone rivers and you find flowing water.

This practice is now widespread in Westland and is just not acceptable. Cows should never be allowed to congregate in or near rivers.


The concepts and statutes of this country and its local bodies accept that. They make rules and legislation that intend to deter this type of activity. Rules and laws are only as good as those who enforce them. If we are to save our rivers from environmental disaster we have to act now!

Unpure New Zealand has complained about this site to the authorities as far as we are aware no enforcement action has been taken !

 

 

 

 

"The 100% Pure New Zealand brand does establish a level of expectation among potential visitors that New Zealand's natural environment will be clean and well cared for. Government, and our tourism agencies, recognize the importance of the natural environment in fulfilling New Zealand's marketing promise. This creates an incentive for all of New Zealand to take action to ensure we live up to the 100% Pure New Zealand promise."

Damien O'Connor, New Zealands Minister of Tourism
In reply to us 4 Dec 2007

Grey River, West Coast, New Zealand - The River of Effluent!

Cows in Riverbed

Grey Riverbed Broadband Slide Show go here

Broadband Slideshow

Grey Riverbed Slower connections go here

play

When Slideshow starts click "fullscreen" (bottom right) for best viewing