Riparian work funded

Planting and stock exclusion projects to protect riparian margins will take the lion’s share of funding in the Rodney Local Board annual environmental services work programme announced recently.

The programme has identified five areas to fund, based on priorities identified by Auckland Council staff and board workshops. The $395,000 budget continues some annual or ongoing activities from previous financial years, as well as new initiatives.

Under the Rodney Healthy Harbours and Waterways banner, $200,000 will be distributed to landowners and community groups for riparian planting and restoration work.

The programme will also fund:

Forestry ambassador programme – $25,000
To improve water quality by limiting sediment entering waterways, through working with landowners and the forestry industry.

Mahurangi College living classroom coordinator – $20,000
Continuing support for pest control, restoration and establishing a ‘living classroom’ and regional Sustainability Education Hub on two Council reserves on the Mahurangi River.

Restore Rodney East coordinator – $5000 (in addition to $70,000 carried forward from 2020/21)
Continuing support for individuals and restoration groups in managing pests from Waiwera River up to Te Arai, and to Ara Tūhono and State Highway 1 in the west.

Shorebirds Trust coordinator – $20,000
To boost community pest control efforts from Te Arai to Pākiri North, 21 kilometres of coastal protection for shorebirds, including the breeding habitat of the critically endangered fairy tern.

The environmental services programme objectives are to improve water quality in local streams, rivers and harbours, and that Rodney’s natural environment should be clean and healthy with thriving ecosystems.