Infrastructure Auckland’s Board today announced grants totaling close to $7.3 million with significant focus on stormwater projects.

This is the first round of grants approved under the full Multi Criteria Evaluation Process specifically for stormwater and Innovative Solutions projects. Other grants have been made under the Simplified Procedures process which is specifically for projects under $500,000. The decisions were made at a Board meeting today (December 19).

Infrastructure Auckland’s Chief Executive Richard Maher says the projects granted funds will collectively make significant improvements to Auckland’s stormwater infrastructure.

“These projects will make a real difference to their local communities and to the wider Auckland region,” says Mr Maher.

“The standard of Auckland’s stormwater infrastructure needs serious improvement so it is pleasing to be in a position to make a contribution to such projects.

“The Board were also delighted to note applications from two community groups who were offering to contribute volunteer labour to assist in the completion of their projects.”

Infrastructure Auckland’s legislative mandate is to make grants to stormwater and transport projects in the Auckland region.

Seventeen applications were received by the funding body with 15 of these stormwater projects. The other two are transport focused applied under the Innovative Solutions category.

Innovative Solutions has specific policies developed to allocate funds to projects which relieve congestion and improve transport. Particularly supported are projects which develop the use of Auckland’s waterways, support a regional passenger transport network and/or develop walking and cycling. There are two funding rounds with the first closing on September 30, 2000 and the second on March 31, 2001.

This round provided $10,000,000 potentially available for stormwater grants and $7,500,000 for Innovative Solutions.

Two of the projects approved have been granted more than $1 million and include:

▪ Shoal Bay Water Quality Enhancements – installation of six different treatment devices at six locations which all discharge to Shoal Bay.
▪ Pukekohe South Stormwater Treatment – construction of two treatment ponds with associated reticulation and planting addressing runoff from the Pukekohe South catchment.

Generally, applicants must contribute half the total project cost for stormwater projects.

The two Innovative Solutions projects are coloured surfacing of bus lanes in Auckland City and the Glen Eden Railway Station Relocation project.

Infrastructure Auckland’s Board wants to encourage applications for projects in the Innovative Solutions category which will relieve congestion on Auckland’s transport networks. Applications to date have been few but there are plans to promote this more vigorously in 2001.

For further information including detail on grants approved please contact Richard Maher or Cathy Bebelman on 09 379 2540.

Issued on behalf of Infrastructure Auckland by Network Communications (Sarah Williams)
09 379 3154.

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