Fish & Game welcomes funding for Manawatu River clean up

Wellington Fish & Game is encouraged that over $5 million of funding has been allocated to help clean up the Manawatu River from the Government’s Fresh Start for Fresh Water Fund.

The Manawatu River has been identified as one of New Zealand’s most polluted major rivers, with low water clarity, high nutrient concentrations, and high colifom counts caused by industrial, agricultural and urban sewage pollution.

Fish & Game regional manager Phil Teal says the funding announcement “reflects the wider community’s wish for the river to be improved”.

He acknowledges the role Horizons Regional Council has played in establishing the Manawatu River Leaders’ Forum, which brought together the players from industry, Iwi representatives, local government agencies, and environmental/recreational groups.

“We all have the common goal of wanting to see the river’s health improved, and there must be a collaborative approach to achieve this as no one group can do it alone,” says Mr Teal.

The funds from the Fresh Start for Fresh Water Fund will be matched from other sources and initially focus on waste water treatment upgrades, fish habitat restoration, stream fencing, and farm planning initiatives.

ENDS

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