Government invests in polluted river loop

The severely polluted Manawatu¯ River Loop in Foxton will get a helping hand from the Government.

The Provincial Growth Fund’s $100,000 investment in restoring the loop was announced by Foxton Save Our Rivers Trust chairman Robin Hapi at a Horowhenua District Council meeting on Wednesday.

‘‘This is certainly a major step forward for those who have worked tirelessly to have this part of the Manawatu¯ River returned to the community of Te Awahou-foxton,’’ Hapi said.

The Manawatu¯ River stopped flowing through the loop in 1943, when the Ministry of Works diverted the river. The work was designed to control flooding in Foxton and it separated the loop from the main part of the river.

Horowhenua District Council chief executive David Clapperton said the money would fund three projects.

‘‘The investment by the Government announced today allows for scientific environmental research, a peer review of the GHD report into technical aspects, and a destination management study to be carried out,’’ he said.

Manawatu¯ -Whanganui senior regional official for the fund Di Grennell said she was pleased it was able to support the loop project.

‘‘A revitalised Foxton Loop is an issue close to the heart of iwi and the wider Horowhenua community.

‘‘Foxton has transformed in the past few years into a bustling visitor destination thanks to significant council investment.

In September, the Environment Court decided discharge from the Foxton wastewater treatment plant could no longer go into the loop.