Waikato Regional Council officers responding to reports of a contaminated Matapara Stream. PHOTO SUPPLIED
ŌTOROHANGA district farmers whose repeated actions led to Ngaroma’s Matapara stream “turning green with effluent,” have been prosecuted by Waikato Regional Council.
The prosecution against the Ngaroma dairy operation resulted in convictions, a quarter of a million dollars’ worth of fines, and the imposition of an enforcement order.
The hearing took place at the Hamilton District Court on July 3.
Judge David Kirkpatrick convicted and fined contract milker G & V Farms $52,000 for unlawfully discharging dairy effluent into the environment twice between September and November 2021.
Farm owner Cazjal Farm and its director, John Leonard Walling, were earlier convicted and fined on June 2 for similar offending on three occasions between June and November 2021, and for contravening an abatement notice.
Cazjal Farm and Mr Walling each received fines of $96,000.
The council also sought an enforcement order, which was imposed on both defendants.
The farmers are required to upgrade effluent management practices on the farm and provide plans and certifications as evidence of their compliance.
The council’s regional compliance manager Patrick Lynch expressed concern the farmers involved had needed to be prosecuted.
“To have to take three prosecutions and seek a court order to try to protect our waterways from one farming operation is extremely disappointing.
“The court is sending a very clear message by imposing fines totalling more than $240,000, and we can only hope these farm operators have heard that message.
“We are very grateful to the farming community who have contacted us on each occasion when they have seen their local stream being polluted,” he said.
This is the third time since 2017 the council has brought a prosecution under the Resource Management Act against the farm owners and managers.
