1080 drop near Luggate postponed indefinitely

A 1080 drop in the Otago are has been postponed indefinitely.

A planned possum-control operation near Luggate has been postponed indefinitely after concerns were raised about the risk of contamination of private water supplies.

About 3000ha of land in the Alice Burn area was to be treated aerially with 1080 by Waikato-based pest-control company EcoFX as part of Ospri's TBfree programme.

It was put on hold last week after it was discovered Dead Horse Creek, which is inside the planned drop zone, is used downstream for private water supplies.

A statement released by Ospri said TBfree programme managers were keen to address the concerns people had about the risk of contaminating private water supplies downstream from the operation area.

Luggate resident Tracy Morrow spent most of last Friday trying to get the drop stopped after an information leaflet was delivered to residents the day before.

She was happy Ospri and EcoFX would meet residents, but most residents wanted the operation scrapped, she said.

"The fact we've managed to have it stopped for a short time means we're extremely happy about that, but more issues have come up since last week and now we have about 100 different questions about the water supply.''

Not enough questions were asked of the right people before the operation was consented, Mrs Morrow said.

"They have got some information but only from a few people ... It doesn't really cut the mustard.''

Consent for the drop was given by the Southern District Health Board.

Public Health South Medical Officer of Health Dr Naomi Gough told the Otago Daily Times last week enforcement officers consulted the applicant to assess the information provided in the application, so risks for each operation could be assessed.

It was the applicant's role to carry out the consultation and communication concerning the drop, Dr Gough said.

- Otago Daily Times