The Government is coughing up another $10 million to fund the silt clean-up in Hawke's Bay, but it falls well short of the $80 million that the region needs.
Newshub can reveal that Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson signed off on the additional funding on Tuesday, which comes after $12 million was announced by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins last week.
The Silt Recovery Taskforce has been winding down its operations and planned to stop altogether this Friday because the money had run out.
Newshub understands some contractors had already halted and workers have been laid off this week.
Silt Recovery Taskforce lead Darren de Klerk said the taskforce will try its best but simply won't be able to get to everyone.
"We ask those affected and requiring a collection - even if they aren't ready yet - to log a collection request with the Regional Council by Friday 6 October so we can prioritise which jobs get completed."
The group has cleared 900,000 cubic metres of silt and debris so far, but the job is only 40 percent done, with many landowners and growers yet to have their mountains of silt removed.
Landowners can't take their silt to the council dump sites because of health and safety risks, which is why the taskforce was established to collect the silt and sort out debris such as fencing wire, posts and flood rubbish.
The extra $10 million will keep the project running for the month of October, but apple grower Cameron Taylor said it doesn't give him any certainty because he's still only halfway through clearing his orchards and doesn't know if he should continue.
The taskforce is pushing the Government for another $70 million to finish clearing silt, and without it the work will likely be halted at the end of October.
"Today's additional funding is better late than never but this drip-feeding of support from central government is keeping the community on edge," National's cyclone recovery spokesperson Chris Penk told Newshub.
"Clearly whoever is in Government post-October will need to work closely with the Silt Taskforce to provide the certainty that is so desperately needed to move forward."
Hinewai Ormsby, chair of Hawke's Bay Regional Council, said while more funding is needed, it's a relief the taskforce can continue for now.
"We estimate this latest money will help us complete 50 jobs and move around 200,000 cubic metres of sediment and debris during October," she said.
Ormsby added there are still 223 jobs to complete, and more than one million cubic metres of silt to be collected.
Hastings District Council Deputy Mayor Tania Kerr said the limited funding would impact the community.
"We will continue to lobby Government for more funding to help the community with cleaning up sediment and debris around the region," she said.
So far, the Government has provided Hawke's Bay with $137.2 million for sediment, debris, and woody waste recovery for councils and businesses.
