Yesterday, the Ministry for Primary Industries announced more than $3million of funding for three community-led catchment water quality projects across the country, including nearly $84,000 for Otago South River Care.
The farmer-led group oversees water quality improvement efforts across six South Otago catchments, although it was still in its relatively early stages, chairwoman Suzie Bearman, of Milton, said.
Mrs Bearman said the cash injection was earmarked for native plantings in two wetlands and two riparian areas covering 2.6ha close to Toko Mouth and would allow the group to demonstrate the sorts of projects it wished to propagate, and why.
"We’re all about improving local waterways, so any funding towards that is welcomed.
"The other big element is volunteer labour to bring the projects to fruition and we have about 80 members at present, and would obviously like to grow that number.
"Hopefully this project will help snowball awareness of what we’re up to and show we can make a genuine difference to water quality throughout South Otago."
She said the project would begin next month and run for up to a year.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said the funding would come through the Government’s Jobs for Nature programme.
The South Otago project would create three jobs.
"These important projects will help drive community-led action to protect and enhance water quality and our environment, to leave a lasting legacy for our communities.
"At the heart of the $1.245billion Jobs for Nature programme is improving social, environmental, and economic outcomes for communities across New Zealand."
Elsewhere, the Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective Environmental Restoration Project will receive $1.5million to tackle old man’s beard infestation, generating eight jobs; and $1.45million will go towards a three-year project with Wai Kokopu Incorporated, to revitalise the health of the Waihi Estuary, creating four jobs.
