Seven farms have been fined a total of more than $300,000 dollars for unlawful discharge of effluent.
Seven Waikato farms have been fined between $25,000 to just over $56,000 each for unlawful effluent discharge (file image). Photo: Supplied
The prosecutions against individual farmers and farming companies were taken by the Waikato Regional Council and relate to pollution discharges in August and September 2018.
Convictions were entered in the District Court over the last two weeks.
The fines range from just over $25,000 to just over $56,000.
The regional council's investigations manager, Patrick Lynch, said the cases reflected the focused approach council was taking to inspecting high-risk dairy farms.
"We are urging all farmers to have adequate effluent management infrastructure on their farm that can cope with various weather patterns and other on farm work commitments," Mr Lynch said.
"Unfortunately, these farms have had significant and avoidable unlawful discharges of effluent into the environment. Good infrastructure and vigilant day to day management can prevent this."
The convicted parties, the location of their farms, and fines imposed are as follow:
- Alan Robert Worsnop, of Cambridge, fined $56,017
- Okaeria Farm Limited, of Te Kauwhata, fined $54,000
- Graze Limited, of Morrinsville, fined $49,875
- Were Te Kumi Limited, of Te Kūiti, fined $47,250
- Dean Mark Bertling, of Pipiroa, fined $40,012
- Jeffery Reginald Gatenby, of Taupiri, fined $31,050
- Patrick John Clune, of Te Kauwhata, fined $25,500