7 days ago
New $2m environmental project fund green-lit
Otago Regional Council's ecological funding programmes have helped support projects like Forest and Bird's predator control protection of native species in the Catlins' Fleming wetland, including ground-nested mātātā (fernbird) chicks. PHOTO: FRANCESCA CUNNINGHAME
South Otago environmental projects can look forward to further opportunities for meaningful funding, thanks to the Otago Regional Council.
Last week, councillors gave the green light for staff to progress a proposed $2million large-scale environmental fund.
Councillor and co-chair of the environmental delivery committee, Kate Wilson, welcomed the decision, saying the community had shown that large-scale, catchment-wide approach was the most effective delivery model.
The $2m per-year fund, which was launched recently, will initially be funded from council reserves.
The new fund is separate from the council's annual ECO Fund, which topped $1m this year and has been utilised by several South Otago projects during past funding rounds.
"It had been well supported through consultation and provided for intergenerational impact, collaboration and also aligns with organisational strategic direction to support environmental outcomes," Ms Wilson said.
Co-chair Lloyd McCall, of Tapanui, said the ability for the council to be able to support and enable community-led environmental action at scale was an excellent opportunity.
"There is already significant investment that the community are contributing to environmental outcomes and to be able to support more of this to happen on the ground is vital to enhance what we have for future generations," he said.
Environmental implementation manager Libby Caldwell said the council would lead the funding system, while local leadership and action would be driven by communities to achieve sustained environmental outcomes.
