MEDIA RELEASE
March 6, 2012

Wainono Lagoon funding welcomed

The Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee today welcomed the great news of the Government's announcement of $800,000 in funding towards restoration of the Wainono Lagoon in South Canterbury.

Committee chair Robin Murphy says the funding, from the Fresh Start for Fresh Water fund, would go a long way towards arresting and reversing the decline in the water quality and biodiversity values of the lagoon.

Protecting water quality in the wider catchment feeding into the lagoon is a major component of the project. Funding will enable landowners to create effective riparian buffers in order to absorb sediment and nutrients before the contaminants get into the waterways.

Establishing local catchment groups to help implement the project would be essential to its success, says Robin Murphy. "Having landowners and the local community making decisions and getting involved in the process will result in more positive outcomes."

Robin Murphy says restoring mahinga kai values is one of the key outcomes sought for Wainono. "Wainono is very significant to tangata whenua as a food source. It is also important for birdlife and native fish, and we will be working in partnership with Ngâi Tahu to help restore the values of the area."

Two of the top priorities of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy are recognising the environmental value of water and cultural uses for water. The Wainono Lagoon project aligns with both of these priorities. It is an excellent example of the work going on to protect and restore ecosystems and improve water quality.

Wainono was one of three projects selected by the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Regional Committee as a Regional Flagship project. The others are Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere and the Upper Rakaia and Rangitata braided rivers.

The Regional Committee and the Lower Waitaki Zone Committee have already recognised Wainono's significance by starting a $225,000 project in the lagoon. The new funding will help address issues in the wider Wainono catchment. Government funding sits alongside Immediate Steps funding the local committee is involved with.

The Lower Waitaki Zone Committee has been working with the community on water management priorities and recently finalised its programme of recommendations.

"We are planning to hold an open day for the community at the lagoon in mid April to promote public involvement in projects so as to achieve improvements for Wainono," Robin Murphy said.

ENDS

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