$1.1 million is available to South Taranaki hillcountry farmers through the South Taranaki and Regional Erosion Support Scheme (STRESS).
Financial assistance is available for:
- Soil conservation plantings
- Forestry
- Retirement fencing
The Taranaki Regional Council's Sustainable Land Management Programme has provided on-going targeted investment to reduce the risk of accelerated erosion in the Taranaki hillcountry.
Council works with individual landholders to implement measures that reduce the risk of accelerated erosion and the subsequent sediment that ends up in our waterways and marine environment.
Council has a long history of involvement in the Watiotara Catchment and after the storm event in February 2004, increased its effort into preparing farm plans to address accelerated erosion. Fully 60% of the catchment in private ownership covered by farm plans addressing 60% of the land with a high erosion potential. This effort has now been complemented with funding from the Government over four years for the South Taranaki and Regional Erosion Support Scheme (STRESS).
STRESS will accelerate and deliver an enhanced soil conservation programme targeting the Waitotara catchment and other 'at risk' areas in the region.
Landowners will contribute to poplar and willow planting, close-spaced planting of gullies, and retirement fencing of existing and reverting vegetation.
By the end of four years, STRESS is expected to have achieved 733 ha of soil conservation plantings, 400 ha of close-spaced forestry plantings, 200 ha of retirement and 40 km of fencing.