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Friday, January 23, 2015

Recipients announced for latest round of River grants

Ten community-led projects will receive funding from the Manawatū River Leaders’ Accord as part of an annual grants programme to restore pride and mana in the Manawatū River and catchment.

Projects selected for funding include riparian planting, stream rehabilitation within the city, eel rearing and release and the establishment of a river walkway near Dannevirke.

All showed clear synergies with Manawatū River Accord goals and provide an opportunity for the community to turn and face the river.

Horizons Regional Council freshwater coordinator Lucy Ferguson says the successful applicants were selected by panel and a total of $74,030 will be awarded across the ten projects over an 18 month period.

“The Manawatū River Accord Grants Programme is now in its fourth year and has supported a number of fantastic community projects along the river’s edge.

“It’s an opportunity for the community to be involved positively and constructively in addressing water quality issues within the Manawatū catchment and helping achieve the goals of the Manawatū River Accord,” she says.

Projects to receive funding under this latest funding round are:

• Mangaone West Landcare, Group Ossie Latham– for riparian planting on farmland within the Mangaone West Catchment.

• Stoney Creek Catchment Project, NZ Landcare Trust – for willow control and riparian plants.

• Haynes Creek Project, Mike Hoggard and Alison Short – for riparian plants.

• Colyton Streams Project, Oroua Catchment Care Group – for riparian planting.

• Colyton Streams Project, Oroua Catchment Care Group – for the use of soil cells to protect vulnerable stream banks from erosion and allow a good platform for planting.

• Manawatu Planting, Te Roopu taiao o Ngati Whakatere – for riparian planting as an educational opportunity and a way to strengthen community ties.

• Little Kawau Stream Rehabilitation, REACH Roslyn – for riparian planting to assist with a stream rehabilitation project to build community engagement and enhance community pride in the Roslyn area. Project also involves Palmerston North City Council.

• Tuna Revitalisation, Tanenuiarangi Manawatū Inc – for tuna revitalisation project to replenish eel stocks within the Manawatū Catchment. Involves the capture of glass eels and rearing in captivity to 18 months before release back into appropriate habitat.

• Te Kāuru, Parahaki Island Phase 2 – Kaitoki Walkway establishment Phase 2. To establish a walkway along the Manawatū River from Weber Bridge near Dannevirke to a popular swimming spot and to maintain flax planting carried out in 2014.

• Te Kāuru, Parahaki Island Phase 3 – Phase 3 of Parahaki Island project to clear island within the Manawatu Gorge of rubbish and weeds, carry out flax planting and establish a traditional Māori vegetable garden.

More information about the role and goals of the Manawatū River Leaders’ Accord is available via the Manawatū River website www.Manawatūriver.co.nz

ENDS

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