Funding approved for habitat restoration programme

13 Dec 2022

Media Release

Otago Community Trust has provided funding of over $960,000 in support of a wide range of community projects as it concludes its funding for 2022. The Landscape Connections Trust received a significant funding boost for “The Halo Project - Source to Sea” programme with a $118,111 grant approved to support its delivery.

Project Manager Jennifer Lawn explains that the Source to Sea programme aims to work with land managers to fence and restore waterways, wetlands, and forest habitat on public and private land across Coastal Otago, specifically from West Harbour-Mount Cargill to the Waikouaiti River.

“Our focus is to support mana whenua as kaitiaki of this takiwa, provide volunteer, training and employment opportunities for a diverse range of people to help native wildlife and improve forest habitat and freshwater conditions and protect wetlands.”

It is wonderful to receive funding support from Otago Community Trust, we have made great progress in helping support communities develop projects to look after their indigenous biodiversity and look forward to advancing this further over the next two years, Lawn said. 

Otago Community Trust chief executive Barbara Bridger said that the Trust was delighted to provide funding support to the Source to Sea programme which is a fantastic example of a community-led conservation effort.

Other sizeable grants supported in the Trusts final funding round included upgrades to two local Dunedin swimming pools.

Dunedin North Intermediate community pool received a timely funding boost in the form of a $200,000 grant which will assist with the cost of replacing the building that currently houses the community swimming pool. 

Dunedin North Intermediate Principal Heidi Hayward said in recent years it has become apparent that regular maintenance was no longer keeping pace with the deterioration of the pool building. 

The pool structure has fallen into disrepair and requires replacement as soon as possible to prevent collapse. The wall cladding and interior lining are sagging due to the failure of the roof structure.

“While Dunedin North Intermediate pupils do not use the pool, the school is the fundholder and we see immense value in having this facility available for the local community”.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Education and the Dunedin City Council to ensure it will be rebuilt, the funding support from Otago Community Trust is timely as initial cost estimates have increased in the current economic environment”.

A $72,000 grant was also approved to Otago Boys High School to assist with the cost of upgrading its near 40-year-old school swimming pool.

Otago Community Trust chair Diccon Sim said the trust was pleased to be providing support to the much-needed redevelopment of the local community and school swimming pools.

“With most New Zealanders having easy access to water, swimming is a key skill for school age children to learn.  Without investment in basic pool infrastructure, swimming and water safety skills will inevitably be set back - with potentially tragic results,” said Sim.

Other organisations benefiting from community grants in December included St Patrick's of Oamaru Ecclesiastical Goods Trust who were approved a $90,000 grant to assist with the cost of upgrading St Patrick's Basilica in Oamaru.  Arts On Tour NZ were approved a $20,000 grant to assist with the cost of the Arts on Tour Menu 2023 and a $20,000 grant was approved to the Alpine Community Development Trust to support the provision of food banks in the Upper Clutha area.

In total Otago Community Trust approved over $960,000 to 57 organisations in December 2022, this included Social Services Capability funding of $31,257 to eight social service organisations for capability-based initiatives in areas of governance and management. 

 

Otago Community Trust Grants, December 2022

Alexandra

Dunstan Arm Rowing Club Inc

$10,000

 

Alexandra Bowling Club Inc

$8,000

 

Central Otago Regional Orchestra

$3,800

 

Central Otago Friendship Network

$3,500

 

Central Otago Compassionate Friends

$2,500

Balclutha

Jennys Companionship Group Inc

$4,000

 

Balclutha Contract Bridge Club Inc

$4,000

 

South Otago School of Bagpipe Music

$1,000

Dunedin

Dunedin North Intermediate School

$200,000

 

The Landscape Connections Trust

$118,111

 

Otago Boys High School

$72,000

 

Dunedin City Council - Dunedin Cycling Project

$48,306

 

Saddle Hill Foundation Trust

$35,000

 

South Dunedin Community Network Inc

$26,000

 

Dunedin Midwinter Celebrations Trust

$20,000

 

Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust

$20,000

 

Otago Sports Car Club Inc

$17,500

 

Dunedin Gymnastics Academy

$16,500

 

Pregnancy Help Inc Dunedin Branch

$8,000

 

Logan Park High School

$7,700

 

Wakari Cub & Scout Group - Scout Assn of NZ

$7,000

 

South Dunedin Community Network Inc

$5,000

 

Dunedin Curtain Bank Trust

$4,950

 

Catholic Social Services

$4,550

 

North East Valley Community Development Project Inc

$4,500

 

Royal NZ Pipe Band Assn - Otago Centre

$3,000

 

Youthline Otago Inc

$3,000

 

Otago Tertiary Chaplaincy Trust Board

$2,000

 

The Anteroom Arts Charitable Trust

$2,000

Milton

Lawrence Chinese Camp Charitable Trust

$5,000

 

Milton Elder Care Trust

$4,000

Mosgiel

Mosgiel Central Kindergarten

$5,500

Oamaru

St Patrick's of Oamaru Ecclesiastical Goods Trust

$90,000

 

Harbour Street Jazz  Inc

$17,000

 

Maheno School

$4,529

 

Musical Theatre Oamaru Inc

$3,500

 

North Otago Sports Bodies Assn Inc

$1,500

 

New Zealand Remembrance Army Waitaki

$1,210

Otago

Stroke Foundation of NZ

$27,000

 

Arts On Tour NZ

$20,000

 

Otematata Residents Assoc Inc

$20,000

 

The Boys' Brigade in NZ Inc

$15,000

 

Dunedin Concerto Competition

$10,000

 

Cavalcade Host Town Committee Inc

$6,000

 

Crohn's & Colitis New Zealand Charitable Trust

$5,000

 

New Zealand Endometriosis Foundation Charitable Trust

$5,000

 

Age Concern Otago Inc

$4,937

 

Alzheimers Society Otago Inc

$3,500

 

Neighbours Day Aotearoa Charitable Trust

$3,000

 

Goldfields Kindergarten

$2,000

 

The Brain Injury Assn (Otago) Inc

$820

 

Blue Light Ventures Inc

$1,540

Wanaka

Alpine Community Development Trust

$20,000

 

Aspiring Gymsports Inc

$15,000

 

Wheels at Wanaka Charitable Trust

$10,000

 

Montessori Children's House Wanaka Trust

$5,000

 

Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club Inc

$1,780