Council undertakes a programme of fairway spraying on river gravel beaches to reduce the build-up of woody weeds and other vegetation that may inhibit the movement of gravel (and reduce flood flow capacity).
From December 2023 onward (weather pending) through to April 2024, we will be undertaking fairway spraying in the Upper and Lower Motueka River, and the Wai-iti, Waimea, Tadmor, Motupiko, Tākaka, and Anatoki Rivers. Our river maintenance contractor (Taylors Contracting Limited) will work their way up the Council maintained sections of each river, spraying weeds/unwanted vegetation on the gravel beaches as they find it. Due to the presence of nesting birds in the Upper Motueka river, spraying in this river will not start until nesting is over.
Our river maintenance contractor undertakes the work using a tractor or four wheel drive ute, with a person applying the chemical with a pressurised hose/spray nozzle applicator system. Agri-chemicals being used include glyphosate, metsulfuron, organo-silicone wetting agents and dye. Spray applicators maintain a 2 metre buffer distance between the spray area and any surface water, therefore no spraying over water occurs as part of this activity.
For any questions relating to this activity, please contact Shane Jellyman at Tasman District Council.