Record number of EIF applications
31 August 2006

A record number of Aucklanders have applied for funding from the Auckland Regional Council’s Environmental Initiatives Fund (EIF).

Acting EIF Coordinator Courtney Miller says the ARC has received 318 applications, 145 more than last year.

“It is excellent to see a variety of people so keen to carry out environmental projects,” she says.

The purpose of the EIF fund is to encourage and assist communities to care for their local environment. The fund is open to anyone living in the Auckland region, undertaking non-profit practical projects that enhance, restore and protect aspects of Auckland's natural, cultural and physical environment.

Among the projects needing funding this year are native planting, riparian fencing, beach care, wetland restoration, pest and weed control, environmental education programmes in schools and environmental workshops, says Ms Miller.

This month the EIF also had a welcome cash injection of $123,965 from major sponsor Honda. Honda sponsors the Honda TreeFund programme, created in 2004 as a way to offset car emissions. For every new car sold in Auckland, Honda funds the planting of ten native trees.

ARC Environmental Management Committee Chair Dianne Glenn says the ARC is very grateful for Honda’s support and it is pleasing that more people this year have chosen to apply for EIF funding.
“It’s encouraging to know there are so many people who are keen to protect and enhance Auckland’s environment, without them the region wouldn’t be such a great place to live,” Cr Glenn says.
In the past six years ARC has approved 480 EIF grants worth more than $1.1 million. Last year EIF applicants received more than $500,000 worth of funding for environmental projects.

Transpower is another major sponsor of the EIF. It has contributed $50,000 per year to the fund for the past two years.

The 2006 EIF funding round closed last month. ARC staff are currently assessing all applications and a panel of ARC councillors and staff will make the final decision. All EIF applicants will be notified in late October.

ENDS

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