The Pomahaka Corridor Planting project was the biggest winner yesterday when Mr Jones announced $7.5 million in funding for environmental projects in Otago-Southland, Manawatu-Whanganui, Tairawhiti (Gisborne) and Hawke’s Bay.
The Pomahaka Corridor Planting project would receive $3.7 million over three years, creating around 19 jobs planting 108,000 seedlings on riparian areas and 50km of fencing, he said.
The One Billion Trees fund would cover $1.4 million and the Provincial Growth Fund the remaining $2.3 million.
The four projects he highlighted, which focus on planting trees to reduce erosion and clean up waterways, would create about 90 jobs.
In total, about 850,000 plants would be planted across 750ha, along with 100km of fencing put up.
Alongside the Pomahaka planting project, Aorangi Whanau Trust’s Hiruharama Maori blocks, in Manawatu-Whanganui, would get $1.1million over two years; the Uawanui Restoration Project, in Tairawhiti, would get $1.3million over three years; and the Waipuka Maori Land Blocks, in Hawke’s Bay, would receive $1.4million over two years.
All four projects were set to begin within six months, he said.
