Tukipo group gets freshwater funds
Jobs created as riparian planting planned
Arecent application by Tukipo Catchment Care Group (TCCG) was one of two successful applications to the Freshwater Improvement Fund in the Hawke’s Bay region.
The grant of more than $2m will be used in a targeted multi-faceted environmental project across the 22,000ha of the Tukipo region in Central Hawke’s Bay.
Over the next four years the Tukipo Freshwater and Biodiversity Enhancement project has targets in relation to stock exclusion and riparian planting of waterways, wetland projects, erosion control and support for landowners.
The grant will also create local jobs with the appointment of a project coordinator, additional work for fencing, agricultural and seasonal workers plus professional advisers will be required for wetland, planting and biodiversity advice.
TCCG chairman Colin Tyler was thrilled to learn of the funding approval, saying: “This grant is going to have a huge beneficial impact on water quality and the biodiversity of our area.
“We must acknowledge Hon David Parker and the Ministry of the Environment (MfE) for their investment in assisting communities across New Zealand improve and protect waterways through this fund.
“For those in the Tukipo the impact of regional and national environmental rules and regulations can seem overwhelming at times. We hope that this funding will help with some of their concerns, but also through working as a community help them realise that in many cases, they are already doing a great job environmentally. Ongoing improvements do not need to be at the expense of other business goals.”
The TCCG community-led group was formed in 2019 by local landowners wanting to understand and manage freshwater issues in their community.
Tukipo landowners face more rigorous resource consenting requirements than others due to identified in-stream phosphorus and nitrogen issues.
The group works collaboratively with the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council which sees Tukipo as a good test case for its ongoing work.
Many other organisations have also assisted to date but the TCCG specifically acknowledges the support of Fonterra.
Fonterra has already contributed more than $200,000 including the design and planned construction of a state of the art wetland which will be part of a national study regarding water quality improvement.
The vision of the group is “Enhancing the Environment — Thriving Community”.
The next step is finalise the project with MfE staff and then to organise a community meeting to update landowners on the project and gain complete buy-in. Information sharing from early adopters will help to ensure best practice and outcomes in meeting the catchment objectives.
Ongoing water quality monitoring by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will also assist in monitoring the success of the project.