Freshwater to benefit from govt funding

Manawatu's river will benefit from a further $5.84m from central government. Photo / Karla Karaitiana

The Manawatu-Whanganui region has secured more than $5.84 million from central government towards $12.3 million worth of projects for freshwater improvement.

Horizons Regional Council, in conjunction with territorial authorities, iwi, and landowners, submitted five applications for funding in April this year. One of these was for initiatives for the Manawatu River, which Horizons will manage.

The Manawatu River project will cost a total $7.24 million and includes upgrade of Tokomaru's wastewater treatment plant to discharge to land. It also includes 250km of stream fencing, 200,000 riparian plants, 20 fishpass fixes, 45 community-led projects, Palmerston North City Council's urban streams project and matauranga Maori and cultural monitoring.

Horizons chairman Bruce Gordon says the Manawatu River is already showing signs of water quality improvement.

"Of the 16 monitored in the catchment from 2006-2015, 31 per cent had improved bacteria levels, 50 per cent had improved in turbidity [cloudiness] and phosphorus, and 75 per cent had improved nitrogen levels.

Not only will this funding help to improve the water quality of the Manawatu River, but community involvement enables us to share knowledge of our awa, and the stories that are connected to it and its people."

Manawatu River Leaders' Forum chairman Richard Thompson says many River Accord actions along the Manawatu River are now able to proceed in a shorter timeframe.

"We are delighted to have secured this funding from the Ministry for the Environment, which equates to 40 per cent of the $7.24 million being put towards initiatives to improve the health of the awa.

"Horizons will be the lead agency and will contribute $1.96 million, while Palmerston North City, Horowhenua and Manawatu District Councils will contribute a combined $1.08 million.

"The remaining $1.27 million will come from landowners."

- Manawatu Guardian