Friday, 31 January 2020 11:22

$12.7m to help ease Northland’s water woes

Written by Staff Reporters

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Parts of Northland are facing extreme heat and poor grass growth.

The Government is giving $12.7 million to make Northland more resilient in the face of extreme weather.

The Northland Regional Council is getting $12m for the Northland Water Storage and Use Project and Kaipara District Council $745,000 for Kai for Kaipara Water project.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says water is critical for Northland’s economy and wellbeing but is increasingly under threat from floods and drought, declining rainfall and river flows and rising temperatures.

“There are also increased demands on water resources from a growing population and economy.

“We are providing up to $12.7m through the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to ensure the region has a reliable water supply which can be used to develop underutilised land, grow new markets, create jobs and put more money into the local economy,” Peters said.

Last week Minister for Primary Industries Damien O’Connor visited Northland farmers reeling from weeks of dry weather.

Parts of the region are facing extreme heat and poor grass growth, forcing dairy some farmers to dry off cows early.

More like this

Northland Study: Emissions Cuts "Unsustainable" for Dairy

A five-year study has found that the cost of reducing emissions without technology may be significant and unsustainable for Northland dairy farmers.

Waikato Waters Begins Operations Across Waikato Region

Today marks the first day of operations for Waikato Waters, a new council-controlled organisation established by six district councils to deliver water and wastewater services for their communities.

Efficient Irrigation Improves Pasture Productivity

Increased competition for water means the whole community is looking at how irrigators use water.

Hawke's Bay Needs Water, and the Numbers Prove It

OPINION: New economic modelling confirms what many of us in Hawke's Bay have long understood - getting water security right for this region is one of the most important decisions we face as a community. Not just for farmers, but for everyone who lives, works and builds a future here.

Changing Drains Into Ecosystems

A drain is sometimes considered a negative word associated with depletion, exhaustion and loss of resources.

Featured

Te Pari Acquires NZ Sheep Handler Brand Combi Clamp

Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.

RSE Scheme Changes Coming - McClay

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.

New App StockScore Digitises Livestock Condition Scoring

A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.

Andy Macfarlane Joins AgriZeroNZ Board

Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.