Council encourages consideration on Gypsy Day

Everyone on the road is encouraged to show consideration on Gypsy Day, June 1, Southland District Council roading engineer Rochelle Leach said.

Traditionally June 1 is the first day of the new dairy farming season when a large number of stock movements take place in Southland.

Ms Leach said in the past some Southland roads have been covered in waste from cows and so Council is keen to encourage both farmers and truck drivers to think about avoiding waste getting on the road.

Council has clear guidelines on the correct procedure to follow for Gypsy Day and copies are available from all Council offices or on the Council website.

All stock should be stood down before they are moved, back roads should be used where possible and trucks should be emptied at designated effluent dump stations (temporary facilities have been arranged by ES throughout Southland and a list is available from their website).

Farmers need to be aware of droving conditions, too, with a permit needed for droving stock further than 10km and in urban areas.

For distances shorter than 10km and not in urban areas, farmers don't need a permit but do have certain conditions, particularly to do with visibility and stock numbers.

Other people on the road should also be aware that there might be stock on the road and be considerate of it, Ms Leach said.

"Let's keep the roads safe and clean and try to better past years," she said.