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The Government has committed $100 million over 10 years to the Freshwater Improvement Fund.
Approximately $24.5 million is available in the first funding round, which is now open.
The fund is for projects costing $400,000 or more, which will improve the quality and availability of water in lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater and wetlands.
The aim is to make the biggest difference with the available funding. The minimum request for funding is $200,000. The fund will cover up to half of the total project cost and projects may be funded for up to five years.
Vulnerable catchments are those that are under pressure but not yet at a tipping point where restoration becomes significantly more difficult or expensive. This includes a significant inland area from Puhoi to Maungaturoto.
Catchments have been identified as vulnerable based on the:
- current state of water quality in the catchment, based on nitrogen and phosphorous levels, and biological indicators
- pressures on the catchment due to increase in livestock, decrease in tree cover, increase in exotic grassland or increase in urbanisation
- significance of the water within the catchment to people, the environment and the economy.
Applications close on April 13.
