156 Projects To Share $500,000-Plus NRC Environment Fund

More than 150 projects ranging from planting eroding sand dunes to protecting kiwi have been awarded a share of this year’s $500,000-plus Northland Regional Council Environment Award.

Now in its 12th year, the fund has provided more than $1.5 million since 1996 to help people improve and protect Northland’s natural environment. Almost $530,000 is available from this year’s fund.

Regional Council Chairman Mark Farnsworth says this year the fund received 170 applications (up 50 on last year) for almost $1 million worth of funding for projects with a combined value of more than $2 million.

“The Council is pleased at the growing community interest in this fund and is happy to be able to help so many people with such a diverse range of projects that will have ongoing benefits for Northland’s environment.”

He says 156 projects - worth a combined $516,493 - have been approved for funding, with another $11,707 set aside for other qualifying projects which may arise during the year. Last year about 130 projects were funded.

Of the projects funded today (subs: Weds 21 Nov), 67 (worth $238,350) are in the Far North District, 66 (worth $184,833) in the Whangarei District and 25 projects (worth $93,310) in the Kaipara.

The largest grant awarded from this year’s fund is $17,930 to fence a large Bay of Islands wetlands system. The smallest grant – just $260 – will be used to control pest animals in the Far North.

Mr Farnsworth says the fund typically contributes up to 50 percent of the total cost of a project.

Projects must be of long-term benefit to the local environment and clearly show evidence of good resource management. This year’s fund will be split across a number of areas:

• General biodiversity protection


• Wetland protection and enhancement


• Pest animal and plant control


• Revegetation and enhancement with native plants (includes $22,400 from Honda NZ Tree Fund)


• Excluding stock from the Coastal Marine Area


• Coast care projects (including sand dune protection)

This year’s fund also includes $20,000 in court fines that will be available for projects in the Ruakaka area.

Individuals and voluntary groups can for funding for eligible projects on private land. Landowners, community and conservation organisations, local Maori groups and schools have all successfully applied to the Environment Fund in the past.

ENDS

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