PC1 Pause Looms as Coalition Targets Waikato Farm Rules
A pause on Waikato Regional Council's (WRC) plan change that sets new freshwater rules for farming could be announced in the coming weeks.
The Waikato Regional Council says grants of up to more than $750,000 from the Waikato River Authority for environmental projects are a sign of the solid partnership between the two agencies.
“The eight projects involving the council that are being funded in the authority’s latest round will help us make a real difference,” says council chief executive Vaughan Payne.
“I thank the authority for their financial support and the close collaboration we have developed to protect the environment.”
The grants for projects involving the council were part of a total $4.4 million in funding announcements for 40 projects overall.
A maximum of $300,000 will go the council for investigating ways to protect and restore the Whangamarino wetland.
Nearly $118,000 will be available for an important project looking at ways to effect land use change in the Upper Waipa River catchment.
More than $88,000 is available for a planting project at Lake Whangape and $87,000 for Lake Waahi wetland restoration.
Another $63,000 will go towards Okohua Stream riparian restoration, $57,000 is for restoring the Moanatuatua peat bog and $32,500 is available for restoration of Lake Waikare’s northern foreshore.
Finally $8000 will go to the council in partnership with police to remove car bodies and waste from the Waikato River and Lake Karapiro.
“This is a great continuation of investment in cleaning up the Waikato and Waipa rivers. The Healthy Rivers Wai Ora plan change will help protect this ongoing investment.”
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.