$3 million grant to support freshwater improvement on farm properties

WANAKA

UPPER Clutha farm properties have been boosted by a $3 million dollar government grant to support freshwater equality.

Minister for Agriculture Damien O’Connor made the announcement at the Lake Wanaka Centre last night.

Mr O’Connor said the WAI Wanaka Jobs for Nature project would provide muchneeded work for those who have lost their jobs due to Covid19.

‘‘These jobs will involve a mix of environmental work, focused on farm properties in the upper Clutha area, such as riparian planting, restoring wetlands, fencing, pest management, and projects to enhance biodiversity.

Over three years, the project was expected to deliver the training, plants, and equipment needed to implement extensive environmental activities, primarily on farms in the basin area.

It would be primarily carried out on farming properties across the Cardrona, Luggate Creek,

Lake Hawea, Hawea Flat, and Maungawera catchments.

Funding for the WAI Wanaka Jobs for Nature project was approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries on October 14.