The department is providing $90,000 over the next three years so the council can employ a part-time biodiversity co-ordinator.
Council planning manager David Campbell said on Thursday high quality applications had already been received for the position. Interviews would be held next week and it was hoped to make an appointment before Christmas.
Managing biodiversity, such as areas of native forests or wetlands, on their property is becoming an issue for landowners.
Biodiversity was receiving a lot of attention in plans from regional councils as well as an ecological study being started by the Waitaki council.
Council chief executive Michael Ross said the biodiversity co-ordinator would work closely with landowners to help with biodiversity management on their properties.
External funding, through a funds deed signed by the council and department, would help farmers in a non-regulatory way to enable them to manage biodiversity resources.
"This is an opportune time to get someone on the ground to fulfil an important role in our community, especially with irrigation developments progressing and many more planned," Mr Ross said.
Depending on the success of the co-ordinator, additional funding may become available from other sources, including some of the larger industries in the district. This would help expand the role to a full-time position.
This financial year, the role will be filled without cost to the council.
Funding has been applied for in the council's long term plan to help fund the role from next financial year.
