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Cleaning up Waikato River will have positive economic impact for Hamilton and the region, starting with a multimillion dollar funding pool for clean-up projects.

The Waikato River Authority is calling for applications for a new funding pool to be annually allocated for river clean-up projects.

Opportunity Hamilton business development manager Adrian Dixon is encouraging businesses and organisations to step up with clean-up proposals for the authority, which will distribute $6 million in its first year.

“Cleaning up the river needs to be a community-wide effort. It will take time but ultimately a clean river will have widespread positive impact on the economy through industry and community benefits. It will also benefit cultural, social and recreational pursuits,” Adrian said.

The Waikato River Authority is a co-governance body established by the Crown and Waikato River iwi to restore the river.

The authority, formed late last year, will consider funding applications of all sizes from organisations, from Huka Falls to Port Waikato.

Projects should focus on protecting and restoring the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River and its catchment.

Applications close on December 16, 2011. Successful applicants will be notified in February 2012.

For more information visit www.waikatoriver.org.nz

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 Hamilton is New Zealand’s largest inland city, and 4th largest urban area.  Hamilton is on the main tourist route between Auckland and Taupo. Hamilton is the heart of the Waikato.  Hamilton has a land area of 98.6 km2 (New Zealand's smallest city in terms of land area).  The average age in Hamilton is 31.3 years compared to 35.9 years nationally.  Hamilton has a youthful population - around half of residents are under 30 years old.  New Zealand European makes up three quarters of the population, and Maori 19%.  Hamilton is home to more than 80 ethnic groups from 65 countries.  Over half of all New Zealanders (53 percent) were living in four main urban areas (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch) at 30 June 2009.  As at February 2008 there were 12,476 small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hamilton. This figure accounted for 94% of the total number of businesses in Hamilton.  SMEs contribution to employment in Hamilton stands at 33% which equates to 25,810 employees.  The growth of SMEs in Hamilton city between 2000 and 2008 was 31% which is above the 25% percent growth recorded in the rest of New Zealand over the same time period.  Hamilton is the home of the mighty Chiefs and Waikato rugby teams and the 26,000 capacity Waikato Stadium.  Construction of the $1 billion Waikato Expressway, including design work on the Hamilton bypass, is underway