Looking along the main waterway of the tributary of the Waitakaruru River. Photo: Supplied / Waikato Regional Council
A farming company and an earthworks contractor have been fined $76,500 for environmental damage at a north Waikato stream that left 48 eels dead.
Gregan Farms Limited and Steve Barker Limited were last week convicted and fined in the Hamilton District Court for unlawfully excavating nearly 1400 metres of a tributary of the Waitakaruru River in February 2021.
A complaint by a member of the public prompted the Waikato Regional Council to investigate the stream and then take legal action.
Dead eels in the main waterway of the tributary of the Waitakaruru River. Photo: Supplied / Waikato District Council
The council's regional compliance manager Patrick Lynch said council inspectors found extensive damage to the stream, including 48 dead eels and significant sediment deposits into the water course.
"Many will see the fish kill in this instance as quite distressing and certainly not what we are aiming for in caring for our waterways," he said.
"The damage done here will take some time to remediate."
Looking downstream in the main waterway of the tributary of the Waitakaruru River. Photo: Supplied / Waikato District Council
Lynch said the environmental damage was incredibly disappointing to see.
"The contractor in this case has 40 years' experience in the earthworks industry.
"Working around water courses without causing undue damage, and knowing the environmental regulations that apply, should be bread and butter for him."