Gisborne erosion control funding available

The Ministry of Primary Industries’ Erosion Control Funding Programme (ECFP) has opened its latest round of funding, supporting eligible land owners in the region to contain erosion and improve susceptible land in the Gisborne region.

Gisborne district is susceptible to regular high-intensity weather events that cause soil erosion and downstream flooding. It consequently has a severe erosion problem – 26% of Gisborne district's land is susceptible to severe erosion, compared with only 8% of all land in New Zealand.

Severe erosion, such as large-scale gully erosion, earthflow erosion and deep-seated slumps, causes long-term damage to rural land productivity and has a negative economic impact on hill country farms, infrastructure, and high-quality land on floodplains.

Last year 37 applications totalling $2.39 million covering 1438ha were approved.

The latest funding application window runs from May 22 until 30 June 2017.

Community groups, iwi and other organisations are also now able to apply for funding for projects to reduce erosion in the region. Access to this project funding is available year-round and more information on eligibility and the application process will be available early next month.

For more information, visit www.mpi.govt.nz/ecfp