Home

Monday 22 October 2007

The regional council has granted almost half a million dollars from its Environmental Enhancement Fund to 31 community groups undertaking environmental work across the region.

They include kokako protection in the Manawahe, urupa protection in Whakatane and Matakana Island, seabed enhancement in Opotiki, composting toilets around Lake Rotoiti and a number of waterway and wetland restoration projects across the region.

Since 2001, the fund has allocated almost $6 million to community groups, schools and organisations in the Bay of Plenty undertaking environmental work in their community.

Chairman John Cronin says the Environmental Enhancement Fund is “a fantastic resource” for people who are working to improve the environment, or people’s knowledge about it. “We’re pleased that we can support our community in this way. We wish them well with their projects.”

51 applications totalling just over $1.3 million were received this year. This made funding decisions difficult and all applications had to be carefully checked and assessed. Projects received points for environmental enhancement, community participation and educational benefits and other features of the projects. The Environmental Enhancement Fund Sub-committee made the final funding decisions

This year’s recipients are:

Manawahe Eco Trust: to control stoats in an area of Manawahe where kokako and kereru are present, $11,064
Opihi Urupa Trustees: to protect the Opihi Urupa with fencing, planting and signage,$14,533
Fish and Game Eastern Region and DOC: to create an additional 2 hectares of open water and widen existing channel within the Kaituna Wildlife Management Reserve, $54,074
Waitangi 3 Restoration Plan: to restore the Waitangi Soda Springs, $5,000
REAF Ltd: to introduce the concept of seabed enhancement at Opotiki Reef, $49,323
Ngaiterangi Iwi Inc Society: to stop erosion around an ancient tribal urupa on low-lying marshland between Opureora Marae and Rangiwaea Oponui area on Matakana Island, $7,960
Ihukatia Trust: to enhance Ihukatia Trust Private Maori Reserve and provide public walking access at Ohiwa Harbour, $11,525
Rerewhakaaitu Residents Restoration Group: to restore the Awaroa Stream, $39,158
Ngamuwahine Care Group: to restore Ngamuwahine Rd end, $19,718
Tauranga City Council: to deliver the "great drain game', an environmental education programme to schools in Tauranga, $20,800
Mt Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust: to protect and restore the natural forest ecosystems of Mt Ngongotaha through rat and possum control, $6,502
Tauranga Rotary Centennial Trust: to restore the Kopurererua Valley to its natural state through extensive planting, $17,955
Opotiki District Council: to implement plant pest control measures on selected margins of the Ohiwa Harbour,$11,250
Sanctuary Bird Park Trust: to create a native bird sanctuary, $20,027
The Tauranga Environment Centre: to continue to grow the Urban Greenspace Project, $19,800
Whenua.biz Charitable Trust in partnership with Whangamarino School: to plant a native garden (using medicinal plants/rongoa) on the Whangamarino School grounds, $1,900
Environment and Gardens Ruatahuna Limited: to clear pest plants and stock from 200 metres of the Wairere Stream and re-establish in native trees,$25,519
Te Kura o Te Teko: to restore land between Te Teko school and the Rangitaiki River with a track and plantings,$16,750
Katikati Open-Air Art: to install bird signage along the Yeoman Walkway beside the Uretara Stream in Katikati, $2,880
Friends of Puketoki: to establish the level of insect and invertebrate food resources for native birds in the Puketoki Reserve by community based monitoring , $4,255
E Tipu E Rea Trust: to revegetate the Mangatawa Stream, $4,638
Kawerau South School: to enhance habitat for Dwarf Mistletoe in Monika Lanham Reserve, $7,000
Tauranga Sub Aqua Club: to undertake 4 clean up dives in the Tauranga Harbour, $2,689
Mount Tutu Sanctuary Trust: to control weeds in Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary, $1,425
Katikati Haiku Pathway Focus Committee: to design, create and install outdoor information panels on the Katikati Haiku Pathway, $1,924
Kawerau Intermediate School: to replant an area of Monika Lanham Reserve adjoining the school in natives following exotic plant removal, $9,600
Bethlehem Foundation: to construct a boardwalk around the lake at Bethlehem College as the second stage of the restoration of the conservation area at the college, $11,340
Lake Rotoiti Classic and Wooden Boat Association Incorporated: to erect 4 Eco-Toilets at Lake Rotoiti, $45,000
Te Puna Quarry Park Society Inc: to create a butterfly garden in Te Puna Quarry Park, $2,617
Te Wharekura o Huiarau: to clean up (weed control), plant and fence off stream running behind Te Wharekura o Huiarau school, Ruatahuna, $2,831
Taneatua School Board of Trustees: to revegetate Otarahioi Reserve, $1,904

Return To Top