The Manuherikia Catchment Group has welcomed Otago Regional Council (ORC) funding and continued work by local farmers and the community in supporting its Thomsons Creek Catchment Project.

The group was one of seven environmental groups around Otago to share in more than $50,000 for their projects in the past financial year, as reported in an ORC meeting last week, aimed at covering consenting and monitoring costs.

Project manager Nicola McGrouther said the project was fortunate to receive the grants to help cover the consent processing and monitoring costs to process consents for the constructed wetland and fish barrier.  

“For us, a community-led project, this fund is a great initiative by the ORC to help support community projects in Otago,” she said. 

“Often consenting for environmental projects can be overwhelming and complex for those who may not often apply for resource consents - and this fund makes a big difference to overcome those barriers.” 

The project focuses on wetland development and enhancement of the Central Otago Roundhead Galaxias population - a freshwater fish endemic to Central Otago that is classified as nationally endangered - and received $29,856 to cover three phases of the project.

“For the Thomsons project, being able to get our consents through and get the wetland and fish barrier work underway is a significant milestone for our community,” Nicola said. 

“We're now in the second year of our project and we appreciate the ongoing amazing efforts by our farmers and the community to improve water quality and biodiversity in our catchment. Currently landowners are finishing installing over 33 km of fencing along waterways in the catchment with more to roll out this year.” 

Nicola said the local Gillespie family would hold a native planting day next Thursday (August 24) with more than 120 kids and adults involved. 

“Come late spring we will be planting out carex secta in the wetland, installing two small-perched culverts to protect two further galaxiid populations and continuing to support farmers to identify and undertake best environmental practices on farm,” she said.

She encouraged other community groups with environmental projects that need consenting to talk to ORC. 

“We found the staff really helpful, and the application process for the grant straightforward,” she said.