Erosion Control funding increase confirmed for Greater Wellington Region

Last week Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries (MPI), confirmed Greater Wellington Regional Council as one of six regions to receive a share of $8.8 for erosion control work under an extension of the government's Hill Country Erosion Fund (HCEF).

The Greater Wellington Region has received $1.15 million to be allocated over the next 4 years, a significant increase on the $750,000 received over the last six years. This funding will allow the GWRC Land Management Department to expand the Wellington Regional Erosion Control Initiative (WRECI) well beyond the five areas where this programme has already been delivered. WRECI will now target the highest priority erosion prone land across Wairarapa hill country, including all areas in the Ruamāhanga whaitua.

"We are pleased that this funding has now been confirmed and we can expand the areas we are working in and commit to supporting even more farmers through the WRECI programme for another four years," says Dave Cameron, GWRC Manager Land Management. "Landowners meeting the new criteria will be eligible for a 60% grant on their erosion control work. The success of the first six years of the WRECI programme suggests that the higher grant rates should increase the amount of erosion control work undertaken on farms joining the programme."

Erosion control programmes aim to reduce sediment loss to waterways, keep topsoil on the land and maintain productivity, protect property and infrastructure, as well as work to moderate flood risk for the wider community.

Poplar and willow planting programmes are a core part of this activity. GWRC has been committed to supplying poplar and willows through the Akura Conservation Centre for over thirty years.

"There is no quick fix to erosion control, but the higher grant rate and expected increased in erosion control work by individual landowners can only have a positive impact. Greater Wellington, and previously the region's Catchment Boards, have been working with landowners for decades to mitigate erosion problems. GWRC is committed to long-term, sustainable programmes to manage erosion for the benefit of our communities."

Landowners can contact their Land Management Advisor at Greater Wellington or David Cameron on 06 378 2484.ENDS

Contact GWRC Media phone 021 914 266

Notes to Editors

1. Nationally* annual costs associated with hill country erosion are estimated at $100 million to $150 million from:

• loss of soil and nutrients
• lost production
• damage to houses, fences, roads, phone, and power lines
• damage to waterways.

Heavy rain and other adverse weather events can increase the risk of erosion in the hill country. Erosion leads to flooding, which in turn can devastate farm production. Under heavy rainfall, up to 10% of erosion-prone land under pasture can be lost. *https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/88m-erosion-grants-awarded

2. Greater Wellington received a 13% share of the funding package ($1.15 million), up on the $750,000 received over the last 6 years.
3. The Wellington Regional Erosion Control Initiative was established in 2009 through central government funding as a response to 2004 flood events in the lower North Island.
4. Erosion control work under WRECI has, until now, focused on five areas within the Wairarapa Hill country: Awhea/Opouawe, Upper Taueru, and Whareama catchments, the coastal area around Flatpoint and isolated hotspots.