Timaru Creek TB Management Area (TMA)

Eradicating bovine TB in NZ

As part of our TBfree programme we deliver our pest control operations through a framework of TB management areas (TMAs). TMAs are areas with known TB infection in livestock or wildlife. Each TMA has a specific TB control plan designed to eradicate TB as effectively as possible.

The Timaru Creek TMA

The Timaru Creek TMA covers 11,907 hectares. It is situated on the north-eastern shore of Lake Hawea and is centred around the Timaru Creek catchment. It is the last line of defence between the Otago Vector Risk Area and the Vector Free Area.

It is a tight, mountainous river valley.

History of TB and pest control in Timaru Creek

The Timaru Creek TMA has a long history of TB infection in wildlife and cattle herds. From the 1980s, TB was well established and it still persists in ferrets and pigs on the south-eastern side of the TMA. While there is little stock grazing available, the cattle herds on either side of Timaru Creek have been infected during the past 20 years.

We completed:

• aerial control in Timaru Creek in 2017/2018, and
• ground control in Timaru Creek in 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2021/2022, and 2022/2023.

We completed:

• a ferret survey in Timaru Creek in 2015/2016
• pig surveys in Timaru Creek and Upper Timaru Creek in 2015/2016 and 2017/2018, and
• a pig survey in Dingle Burn in 2021/2022.

Current state

As of June 2023, the Timaru Creek TMA has no infected herds.

Future pest control operations

We plan our pest control operations up to 3 years in advance. The current year runs from July 2023 to June 2024.

Dates and control methods for pest control operations in Western Southland are provisional and subject to change. If you’re affected by any upcoming operations, our pest control contractors will contact you before work begins. They will:

• talk you through the specifics of each operation
• explain what you need to do before the operations start
• get your consent for the work to be done.

We will refine proposed boundaries for aerial operations after consulting with landowners and affected parties.

Map of 2023/2024 pest control operations

The proposed areas for ground control are marked in green on the map and proposed areas for aerial control are marked in yellow.

Interactive map showing Timaru Creek TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.

Contacts

Contract Wild Animal Control NZ Ltd manages eradication activities in the Timaru Creek TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.

Contract Wild Animal Control NZ Ltd

Phone: 0800 292 269
Email: lyndon@cwacnzl.com

Nearest local OSPRI office

OSPRI Dunedin office
PO Box 5745
Moray Place
Dunedin 9058
Phone: 03 477 9829
Email: cr_ssi@ospri.co.nz