An easier path to care for our coasts

Getting projects done in Hurunui's Pegasus Bay coastal communities has just got a whole lot easier, thanks to a newly formed group which will be able to assist with seeking funding.

The Northern Pegasus (Hurunui) Bay Coastcare Inc has recently been formed as an incorporated society. One of its functions will be to work as an umbrella group so that individuals or informal groups can obtain funding from sources such as the Rata Foundation or the Department of Conservation (DOC) for projects like trapping or planting on the coast lines.

Amberley resident Kevin Roche is the organiser of the incorporated society, which currently has 15 members, and is happy to know there will be less hurdles now to seek funding for the great work that is going on.

Its objectives include the protection and enhancement of the natural flora and fauna of the coastal environment, management of recreational activities in a safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly manner, promotion of sustainable forms of recreational activities such as walking, cycling and horse riding by maintaining and creating suitable tracks, and offering support and operation of pest control activities.

It will liaise with Hurunui District Council, Environment Canterbury, DOC, and Land Information New Zealand to help achieve the protection of the coastal areas from The Rocks north of the Waipara River, to Ashworths Beach.

"This makes funding requests a lot easier, because for many applications you have to be a legal entity such as an incorporated society or a trust."

With a love for native plants and the beatification of Hurunui District's coastlines, Roche says he's been thinking about setting up this entity for a couple of years now.

"One of the drivers for the group is coast care and climate change, mitigating the risk of threats to settlements by stabilising dunes."

The five-year goal is to get the wetlands protected, continue to develop the trapping programme to remove predators, establish a dedicated horse track north of Leithfield Beach, and get the Waipara and Kowai river mouths protected with planting.

"We have a good record of getting things done and we have plenty of knowledgeable people, but access to more funding does help."

More members are welcome, who can help in a variety of ways like at planting bees, checking traps, or providing ideas and support.

An application has been lodged to DOC under its ‘threatened species and environments’ funding, to buy additional traps, signage, and fencing in three wetland areas of Ashworths Beach, Kowai River mouth, and a wetland north of Kowai River. Roche will find out late April if the application was successful.

There are also plans to apply for funding to Kate Valley Community Trust for a toilet at The Rocks.

Hurunui District Council's Water and Land Coordinator Rima Herber has been providing Roche with support with contacts and technical information in the area of coastal protection, and has been what Roche describes as "a great go-to person in terms of biodiversity and knowledge."

"I think it is such a cool initiative," said Herber, supporting Roche's approach that there is plenty of great work going on, and easier streams of funding would certainly be a good thing.”

For more information, visit the society’s Facebook page, ring Kevin Roche on 03 314 9362, or email him on rochekf2@gmail.com