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The Waikato River Authority has announced it
will allocate $4.7 million to a further 32 projects
to help clean up the Waikato and Waipa river
catchment following its latest funding decisions.
Major projects include:
• A funding contribution of $448,000 for the
Rotokauri Reserve restoration being managed
by the Waikato District Council near Hamilton
• A continuation of the Matahuru Wetland
restoration in the southern area of Lake Waikare
with funding of $310,000
• Funding of $830,000 towards stage two and
completion of the Waikato and Waipa River
Restoration Strategy providing a five to 15 year
master plan for the restoration of the catchment.
Waikato River Authority co-chairs Hon John
Luxton and Tukoroirangi Morgan say the level of
collaboration between groups and organisations
involved in clean-up initiatives is again a feature
of successful projects.
“We are again encouraged to see that more and
more we have groups working together and
bringing much needed additional resource and co-
funding to these projects,” says Mr Luxton.
The latest funding announcements are for the 5th
funding round to be carried out by the Waikato
River Authority. To date 169 projects have received
Authority funding of more than $27 million and it
is estimated that the total cost of these projects
including co-funding is approaching $60 million.
Tukoroirangi Morgan says one area of strategic
focus for the Authority has been to see wetlands
and lakes feature strongly from clean-up initiatives.
“These wetland areas are crucial for the well
being of the river in addition to having their own
important ecological, environmental and cultural
value. It is heartening to see lake and wetland
projects being successful,” says Mr Morgan.
Lakes and wetland
restoration
feature
in 2015 clean-up funding decisions
A major wetland
restoration project
funded this year by the
Waikato River Authority
is the Mangaotama
Wetland restoration
near Ngahinapouri in
the Waipa catchment.
The wetland is over 25
hectares and is home
to rare species such as
spotless crake and long-
tailed bat. Restoration
work will involve
fencing, pest plant and
animal removal and
native planting.
The Waikato River Authority chief executive Bob
Penter says the Authority has once again been
impressed with effort and commitment from
applicants involved in the funding process.
“The 32 successful projects represent another step
forward in partnering with others to help achieve
Congratulations to successful applicants
the outcomes of the Vision and Strategy – a healthy
Waikato River.”
The full list of successful project is available
to be viewed on the Authority website at
www.waikatoriver.org.nz.