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Funding Process
and time-line for 2016
April/
May
July 1
September/
October
June 1
August 12
Mid November
Funding
Strategy
Reviewed
Funding
assessments
carried out
Funding
decisions
made and
communicated
Applications
Close
Funding
Strategy
Published
Applications
Open
www.
waikatoriver
.org.nzFunding of $600,000 from the Waikato River
Authority has seen a remarkable transformation of
the Rotopiko peat lake reserve off SH3, just south
of Ohaupo.
Over the three year life of the grant, the National
Wetland Trust has led a community project to
build a pest-proof fence, eradicate all mammalian
pests, and substantially restore an ancient kahikatea
semi-swamp forest and the margins of one of
the Waikato’s best peat lakes. The restoration is
phase one of the Trust’s plan to create a show-
case wetland and Wetland Discovery Centre, with
research and educational facilities, wetland gardens,
heritage trails and a pest-free wildlife haven.
With the help of the Authority grant, the Trust has
established a solid volunteer base and put in place
regular surveillance for pests and monitoring of
native plants and animals. They have confirmed
the presence of long-tailed bats, spotless crake,
Australasian bittern, North Island fernbirds and
copper skinks inside the pest fence.
Volunteers from Wintec clear pest plants
from the Rotopiko peat lake reserve.
Volunteers including locals, Dairy NZ, Wintec,
Mangaiti Gully Group, Tamahere Community
Nursery, and Te Awamutu Intermediate School,
have contributed over 1000 hours of time towards
the project. They have planted almost 3000 native
plants from 62 species at the site, and undertaken
regular weed management.
THE
WAIKATO RIVER AUTHORITY
WILL OPEN APPLICATIONS FOR CLEAN-UP
PROJECT FUNDING AT THE BEGINNING OF JULY THIS YEAR. THIS YEAR’S FUNDING
STRATEGY WILL BE PUBLISHED IN JUNE FOLLOWING SIGN-OFF FROM THE
AUTHORITY BOARD.
Following a technical review and final funding decisions will be made by the
board with funding announcements made in November.
Rotopiko Restoration gets results