The chairman of the Dunedin City Council's biodiversity fund
subcommittee says he is encouraged by the growing number of
applicants seeking "dollar for dollar" help from the council
for new projects.
Cr Colin Weatherall made the comment after the subcommittee
this week confirmed 14 grants, together worth $33,031.24, in
its latest funding round.
The fund was established in 2007 to support landowners and
help maintain a network of habitats and eco- systems in
Dunedin, and was distributed in grants of up to $5000 each
twice a year.
The latest round had again been oversubscribed, as $33,560.37
was available but 14 applicants together sought $44,667.24, a
staff report showed.
Subcommittee members on Monday instead approved grants of
between $180 and $4000, and totalling $33,031.24, meaning
"everyone got something", Cr Weatherall said.
That included a $4000 grant for the trust running the
Orokonui Ecosanctuary, for new plants and pest-monitoring
materials, but also money for individual landowners who were
clearing non-native plants, including gorse, controlling
pests and fencing to protect new native plantings, among
other projects.
"We're getting some repeat applications, which is great, but
we're also getting some new ones. It's starting to spread
wider across the city," Cr Weatherall said.
"The good thing is it's starting to be picked up as being a
very positive way that the city and the people together can
contribute. It's a partnership."
chris.morris@odt.co.nz
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