Helping hand for waterways
LIVE LOCAL, LOVE LOCAL WITH AUCKLAND COUNCIL
ARodney Local Board fund has allocated $232,000 to 23 projects helping clean up local rivers and harbours.
Since 2017, the Rodney Local Board Healthy Harbours Waterways Fund has allocated $650,000 to assist 112 applicants to protect 95 hectares of riparian habitat and erect 62,531 metres of fencing.
Now in its fourth year, the fund supports community-led initiatives that restore waterways and wetlands on private and Māori land, with this year’s focus on the high sediment run-off catchment areas of Cape Rodney, Te Arai, Matakana and Tāwharanui.
The remaining 11 projects will be delivered in the Makarau, Whangaripo, Upper Kaipara, Lower Kaipara and Paremoremo catchments.
Local Board chairperson Phelan Pirrie says the fund will be used to erect 9270 metres of stock-proof fencing and to plant 182,350 square metres of riparian habitat over the next 18 months.
‘‘We are partnering with our rural community and those who are willing to work on their properties to safeguard waterways and native bush, and the wildlife in it.
‘‘Fencing waterways to keep out stock and riparian planting will over time improve water quality in the rivers and harbours where we like to boat, fish and swim.’’
Fonterra, Beef and Lamb, Dairy NZ, the Forest Bridge Trust and Te Uri o Hau are partnering with the local board on this initiative. Funding agreements have been sent out to the successful applicants who have 18 months to deliver the approved fencing and planting projects.
Auckland Council staff monitor the projects to ensure they are delivered on time and according to the funding agreement.
Grant recipients are then reimbursed for up to 50% of the project cost as per the agreement.