Natural Environment - Environment2
Incentives
In 2006 Council approved the introduction of funding rounds, allowing landowners and community groups to apply for financial assistance to undertake projects such as fencing significant sites and controlling pests. Landowners who have a significant natural feature on their land can also apply for rates remissions. Funding rounds occur once a year around September. To establish this process, Council has worked with numerous organisations and people including Federated Farmers, Department of Conservation and individual farmers. Two areas along a stream on Council-owned land in Te Aroha were fenced off and native plants were planted between the stream and the fence in both 2014/15 and 2015/16. Council is happy to provide an ecologist to survey potentially significant sites that have not already been visited within the district. Please contact Customer Services to discuss this opportunity.
What Else is Happening
Council is aware of three landcare groups operating in Matamata-Piako that are taking measures to benefit waterways and their margins. The Mangawara Landcare Group and the Morrinsville Landcare Group aim to improve environmental health by protecting river margins and increasing biodiversity by planting and fencing streams and bush remnants. The Kaimai Mamaku Catchments Forum has representation from iwi, recreational groups, primary industry and conservation groups and aims to restore forest biodiversity, enhance recreational activities and provide for sustainable land use across the entire Kaimai-Mamaku area, straddling several territorial boundaries. There are several other initiatives with a focus on waterway rehabilitation.
See Riparian Management for more information about these groups.
The Matamata-Piako District Council also contributes to the general landscape of the district through tree planting programmes such as Arbor Day. From the Arbor Day celebrations held in 2011/12, 186 children attended from eight schools and planted trees at the Howarth Memorial Wetland in Te Aroha, Howie Park in Morrinsville and Furness Reserve in Matamata.
What You Can Do To Help
- Protect your vegetation by fencing and controlling pests and weeds
- Become involved in initiatives such as tree planting and associated conservation programmes
- Become involved in landcare groups
You may be eligible for funding to protect biodiversity. Check out the Ministry for the Environment website, the Waikato Regional Council’s Clean Streams Website, or contact Council to discuss the Significant Natural Features annual funding round.
How are we Doing?
Anticipated Environmental ResultsNatural Environment |
Achieved?
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| Protection in perpetuity of outstanding natural features and resources |  |
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| Greater public awareness and support for protection of the natural environment | |
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| To permanently protect significant examples of specimen trees and stands of native bush or trees | -  |
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| Reduction in the risk of serious or irreparable damage being done to trees through lack of knowledge or undue haste | |
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| To achieve permanent protection and sustainability of the Kopuatai Peat Dome and other important wetland areas |
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Click here to learn more about District Plan Effectiveness and read the full report on Natural Environment
Useful Links
For more information on landscape types, plant and animal pests, soils see;
Matamata-Piako State of the Environment Report 1999
Waikato Regional Council’s Land and Soil Indicators
For More Information
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
Customer Services
Matamata-Piako District Council
PO Box 266, Te Aroha 3342
Phone: 07 884 0060
Fax: 07 884 8865
