6 December 2004

Half a million dollar Christmas gift

For immediate release: Monday 6 December 2004 Some Bay of Plenty community groups, schools and local authorities are celebrating an early Christmas this year.

Environment Bay of Plenty’s Environmental Enhancement Fund has just allocated more than half a million dollars to about 20 groups and organisations.

The grants will go towards projects that enhance, preserve or protect the region’s natural or historic character – though in very different ways. At the Elms homestead in Tauranga, the funding will bring new life to a tree-filled garden. In Opotiki, it will help preserve an historic theatre. In Rotorua, it will pay for further work to a popular walkway around beautiful Lake Okareka.

Environment Bay of Plenty chairman John Cronin congratulates this year’s recipients. The fund supports their enthusiasm and commitment to the region’s environment, he says. “We want to encourage people to actively care for the environment and the fund is an important way for us to support this work.”

The Environmental Enhancement Fund has now allocated more than $4½ million over the past five years.

This year’s recipients are:

Kawerau District Council - Continue to enhance and restore the Monika Lanham Reserve - $40,000

Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust – extend pest animal control programme at Otanewainuku - $11,974

Whakatane District Council – further control pest plants on the Whakatane escarpment - $32,500

Te Puke Fish and Game Club – continue pest animal control in the Kaituna Wildlife Management Reserve and carry out public access maintenance and enhancement - $6,675

Rotorua District Council – to further develop the Lake Okareka walkway, including track upgrading and track infrastructure - $90,000 Fish and Game New Zealand Eastern Region – modify the water control structures in the Orini Wildlife Management Reserve to improve water reticulation, and undertake pest plant control - $6,257

Department of Conservation – carry out pest plant control on 38ha in the Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve over three years- $51,880

Tauranga City Council – plant the McFetridge Lane stormwater detention pond to improve stormwater discharge quality and enhance habitat values - $25,000; plant the Hollister Lane stormwater detention pond to improve stormwater discharge quality and to enhance habitat values - $36,470

SCA Hygiene Australasia – restore the natural ecosystems and character of a section of the riparian margin of the Tarawera River - $12,795

Opotiki Community Theatre Trust – weatherproof the Opotiki Deluxe Theatre to protect the integrity of the building and its contents - $19,494

Rangitaiki Independent School – design and develop an environmental area on the school grounds - $2,600

Ngai Tama Hapu Opape Marae Trustees – complete second stage of Tauturangi walkway at Opape - $39,999

The Elms Foundation – begin implementation of a conservation management plan for the gardens - $20,000

Matata Community Resource Centre – develop an interpretive walkway at Matata Lagoon in association with the Department of Conservation - $26,000

Opotiki District Council – to form a 3.5km walking track adjacent to Ohiwa Harbour - $49,730; undertake pest plant control, replanting and the provision of access to public spaces at Bryans Beach - $10,500

Te Akau ki Papamoa School – establish a Trees for Survival growing unit - $2,890 Oropi Primary School – clear and replant school gully with native plants and provide access - $4,299

Rangiwewehi Charitable Trust – carry out an ecological restoration programme at the Taniwha Springs (Pekehaua Puna) Maori Reserve - $9,750

Sustainable Business Network Bay of Plenty – organise Triple Bottom Line reporting workshops - $5,625

Hukutaia Domain Advisory Committee – promote Hukutaia Domain through developing a display board and brochure - $4,352

ENDS

© Scoop Media