Waikato Regional Council's catchment management team is calling on environmentally conscious Coromandel landowners to take advantage of funding assistance.

The catchment management team is available to help facilitate financial assistance, plus provide advice around farm planning, soil management, water quality and biodiversity opportunities that can benefit farm production as well as the environment.

Funding assists land owners to fence off wetlands, coastal areas, bush and streams, or carry out planting for soil conservation or habitat enhancement.

Hauraki and Coromandel catchments manager Graeme Osborne says the management team all come from rural backgrounds so understand the pressures on land owners and the issues they face.

'Eligible landowners can receive up to 35 per cent of the total cost of the works from the council, which means that the landowner contribution is often just their time,” explains Graeme.

More than 130 Coromandel landowners have already been involved with the catchment new works programme since it started operating. Last year more than 16 kilometres of fencing was completed and more than 19,000 eco-sourced native plants planted.

Council also runs a plant supply programme where eco-sourced native plants are purchased in bulk meaning landowners can get great plants at discounted prices delivered to their door.

'Staff will develop a property-specific plan that includes environmental protection options, farm plans and land use, and particular land management issues related to matters such as waterways and soils.

'The council's team can help take the paper work pain off landowners' shoulders and assist in the development of property-specific solutions.”

For more information call catchment management officers Rob Corkill or Elaine Iddon at the Whitianga office on 07-866-0172 or 0800-800-401.