Nathan Guy: Improving water quality

The 2040 target is estimated to cost the Government, councils, industry and farmers about $2 billion.

Last week I was with the Prime Minister and Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith for the announcement that we want to make 90 per cent of New Zealand rivers and lakes swimmable by 2040.

We all want to be able to swim in our local rivers when the weather is right, and New Zealand is the perfect place with so many on offer.

Looking back over our shoulder and blaming different parts of society for water pollution won't help improve water quality. (It's worth noting that some of the poorest rivers are in Auckland). This is going to take a collective effort by everyone.

The 2040 target is estimated to cost the Government, councils, industry and farmers about $2 billion.

Dairy farmers have done a great job and already voluntarily fenced off over 24,000km of waterways, matched with riparian planting has been a positive step in improving our freshwater.

However, we want to extend fencing rules to other types of farms as well, not just dairy.

The proposed national regulation would ensure dairy heifers, beef cattle, pigs and deer are kept out of 56,000km of waterways by 2030 depending on topography.

In our area the Manawatu River has received $46m worth of improvement projects from 2010 to 2016, including $5.2 million from the Fresh Start for Fresh Water Fund.

Over the past six years these projects have improved 600km of the river catchment into a better swimmable category.

Nearly $1.5m of Government funding has also been allocated to clean up Lake Horowhenua which could be a tourist attraction in the future.

A new $100m Freshwater Improvement Fund is open now for applications to partner with the Government.

The Government has released new regional maps to deliver the most comprehensive and consistent information on water quality for swimming, which are connected to the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website where you can find real-time information on water quality.

Aiming to have 90 per cent of New Zealand lakes and rivers swimmable by 2040 is an ambitious goal and will make us a world leader in water quality.

I believe it is achievable and necessary for our children and tourists to enjoy. Plus as a trading nation consumers here and overseas are keen to know we take environmental sustainability seriously.