Waituna Farmers United - the farmers' perspective - |
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Criteria for clean-up fund announced 15 September 2011:
"This Fresh Start for Fresh Water Clean Up Fund is to encourage regional councils and communities to put plans together to clean up lakes and rivers that have become badly polluted," Dr Smith said. “The Government needs to be satisfied that a water body is nationally significant, that rules are in place to prevent ongoing pollution, that cleanup plans have wide community engagement and that the Regional Council is also financially committed to support the clean up.
"$9 million is available for allocation from the fund in the next year. This brings the total Government to fresh water clean ups in the years 2009-2014 to $94 million as compared to $16 million spent between 2004 and 2009. The fivefold increase reflects the importance this National-led Government puts on improved fresh water management.
"This new fund was an important recommendation of the Land and Water Forum. It is part of a broader programme of work on improving water management that includes the National Policy Statement on Freshwater, increased investment in irrigation, regulations requiring measurement of water takes and better monitoring and compliance of resource consents."
The four-member assessment panel comprises Land Water Forum representatives Roku Mihinui (Iwi Advisors Forum), John Hutchings (Fonterra) and Hugh Canard (Whitewater NZ) and a representative from the Ministry for the Environment.
"The current state of some of New Zealand’s rivers and lakes is inconsistent with our clean, green brand. This new fund is a further step in the Government’s Fresh Start for Fresh Water programme to better care for our lakes and rivers," Dr Smith said.
More information, including criteria for the fund and application forms are available at: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/water/freshwater/fresh-start-for-fresh-water/cleanup-fund.html
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