MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Fences and fish aid in river clean up

Horizons Regional Councilors today approved a $400 000 programme of work which will contribute to the clean up of the Manawatu River and has been paid for by ratepayers in the Manawatu Catchment at $8.10 per property.

Half of the funds will be directed towards fencing off streams in the catchment, accelerating the progress the regional council has been making with local farmers to keep stock out of waterways.

“The programme has been developed out of the tasks assigned to Horizons in the Manawatu River Leaders’ Action Plan. This year stream fencing is a key priority and will help reduce the nutrient and bacteria levels in the river,” said Bruce Gordon Horizons’ Chairman.

Mr Gordon said $200 000 comes with a target of seeing at least 125 kilometers of fencing completed and will be realised with the support of farmers who’s land the streams flow through.

$110 000 has been channeled towards protecting native fish and their habitat. 15 fish barriers are to be removed in the catchment and habitat improved in the Kahuterawa stream, Manawatu Estuary, Foxton Loop, and Whitebait Creek.

$50 000 has been earmarked for supporting community groups with projects that will contribute to improved water quality, such as the protection of wetlands or bush areas with high ecological value.

Provision has also been made for additional water quality monitoring on the Oroua River and improving awareness about the river, its challenges and the progress being made towards achieving the Accord goals via a website.

The $400,000 is in addition to the $4 million Horizons already spends in the catchment

This work includes:

• Ensuring anyone wanting to take water from the region’s rivers or lakes, or anyone wanting to discharge into waterways and to dispose of effluent, applies for consent to do so and meets the rules of the consent.

• Monitoring dairy farmers to make sure they are using best practice methods for disposing of effluent.

• Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) – a programme to help land owners’ to stop accelerated erosion from hills and into water, already more than 300 landowners are signed up to this – about 200 of these from within the Manawatu Catchment, a further 100 expected to sign up this year

• Creating innovative tools to help people find land-based options for their waste, including the Pond Size Calculator.

ENDS

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