A newsletter from the
A total of 52 applications were
received requesting a funding total of
$17.2 millions.
There is up to $7 million available for
initiatives that help restore or protect
the Waikato and Waipa Rivers.
Waikato River Authority co-chairs
Hon John Luxton and Tukoroirangi
Morgan say the strength and quality
of applications that have been
received in this funding round is
extremely encouraging.
The co-chairs say the Authority is
particularly pleased to see such
a strong connection between the
updated Funding Strategy and so many
of the applications. “We’ve wanted
to be more directive in outlining
the priorities for restoration and so
it is gratifying to see that direction
reflected in the project proposals,”
says Mr Morgan.
The applications are now undergoing
an independent evaluation process.
The evaluation panel will make
recommendations to a sub-
committee of the Authority who in
turn will then make the final funding
recommendations to Authority’s
board. It is intended that successful
project applicants will be announced
by the end of November.
The largest of the projects in the list
of applications is for a $4 million
project. Just over $2 million is being
sought from the Waikato River
Authority for this project with the
balance coming from other sources.
Overall the level of co-funding across
all applications is $1.20 for every
funding dollar applied for.
The range of projects being
considered this year includes large
scale restoration at a sub catchment
level through to smaller gully
restoration and riparian planting.
Another feature of the applications
is the large number of previously
successful project applicants returning
with new initiatives.
In the previous three years of funding,
the Waikato River Authority has
allocated approximately $16 million
to 108 individual projects. The
Authority advocates for an integrated
and cohesive approach for clean-up
activities across the river catchment,
that covers 11,000 square kilometres.
MESSAGE FROM
THE CE
The general election has focused
attention on the quality of our
country’s freshwater resources.
The Government’s announcement
of $100m to support land
purchase and retirement is a
significant policy, although
some would argue it is a small
step albeit in the right direction.
The Waikato region is unique
in benefiting from the Waikato
River Authority funding clean-
up initiatives with a funding
commitment of over $220m.
We knowWaikato people and
communities are passionate
about cleaning up our waterways
– evidenced by the level of funding
sought and committed by our
latest funding round applicants.
We are superbly placed to play
a leadership role in freshwater
restoration, but this can only be
achieved through collaboration
and a coordinated effort.
This is a key focus for the
Authority in the
coming years.
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4
Task underway to
evaluate funding
applications
THE TASK TO EVALUATE PROPOSALS SEEKING FUNDING FROM
THE WAIKATO RIVER AUTHORITY IS NOW WELL UNDERWAY,
WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS CLOSING OFF AT THE END
OF LAST MONTH.
The Waikato River at Ngaruawahia where it is joined by the Waipa River. There is a
significant amount of additional sediment entering the Waikato River at this point.
