19 October 2018

Environment Southland’s councillors endorsed the donation of a 4x4 utility vehicle from council’s fleet to the Stewart Island-Rakiura Community and Environment Trust (SIRCET) to support the Trust’s operations on Stewart Island.

Councillors at the organisational performance and audit committee yesterday (18/10) were all in support of donating the vehicle, which is due for replacement as part of the council’s vehicle replacement programme.

SIRCET is a community and volunteer initiative on Stewart Island that seeks to enhance biodiversity through the management of pest plants and animals leading to the restoration of indigenous habitat and fauna.

The Trust currently uses a ute to operate its biosecurity/biodiversity management activities around Oban. The older vehicle has recently failed and is no longer available to the Trust or the community.

The donation of the ute is in addition to the annual grant of $10,000 the council provides. Committee chairman Maurice Rodway said the donation was a good idea, and a great way of supporting this group to continue its work on the Island.

In addition, the ute would still be available for Environment Southland staff use when working on the Island.

The vehicle is a 2012 manual Mazda BT-50 4x4 extended cab ute that has a fitted canopy, tow bar and roof racks, and has travelled over 150,000km. Final confirmation from council of the donation will take place at a full council meeting on 7 November, and details of the handover are still to be confirmed.

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