Planting efforts for clean water
Regenerating native bush in a gully on a Waitunawest farm has been given a boost with the addition of 5500 plants on the slopes.
Horizons Regional Council and Higgins staff have helped with the planting, which will clean up the headwaters of a stream feeding into the Kiwitea Stream and roua River.
Farmers Mike and Lindsay Will had already retired the gully by fencing it off to keep stock out.
Horizons freshwater and partnerships manager Logan Brown said Horizons had provided a 30 per cent subsidy for the fencing and a 50 per cent subsidy was helping cover the cost of planting the riparian area alongside the stream.
‘‘This winter the plants will cover the rest of the area to help reduce sediment, nutrients and E coli entering the waterway by capturing farm run-off as it works its way down the gully,’’ Brown said.
‘‘The plants will also contribute to improvements in aquatic habitat as well as benefit terrestrial biodiversity by providing food and shading.’’
The plants were paid for through a Manawatu¯ River Leaders’ Accord community grant, which supports projects that aim to improve water quality in the wider Manawatu¯ catchment.
On the planting day last week 1500 plants were placed into the ground on one of the gully faces, with 25 Higgins staff from Palmerston North and Feilding giving their
‘‘The gully system is a pretty special place as it has some regenerated bush, so protecting it was important.’’ Mikewill
Farmer
time. Waituna West School, the play centre and community members have also contributed to the efforts.
Mike Will said the 480-hectare sheep and beef farm had a Horizons Sustainable Land Use Initiative plan that identified the gully as being ideal for retirement.
‘‘The gully system is a pretty special place as it has some regenerated bush, including rewarewa, rimu and to¯tara, so protecting it was important,’’ he said.
‘‘The area also feeds a dam for stock drinking water so not only will cleaner water get to the Kiwitea Stream, but also to our stock.’’