Thank you very much for your kind donation, Telecom. The company yesterday announced $250,000 funding for South Island community projects, after the failures of its XT network.
Recipients include a native tree-planting project in Dunedin and a Clutha District Council-run youth development programme.
The $250,000 compensation package went to the 12 South Island districts affected by the XT mobile network outage in late January.
Telecom Retail chief executive Alan Gourdie said community leaders, such as mayors, chambers of commerce and rural representatives, were consulted "as to the projects they feel will give the greatest benefits to their communities".
"Following feedback from those leaders, we decided to apportion our donation across each of the 12 affected districts, taking into account population and also the extent of the outage in each district."
Dunedin received the largest single donation: $75,000 earmarked for native tree planting at Harbour Cone and in the wider Dunedin area.
The donation would go towards the Dunedin City Council's "Let's Grow Native" programme and was welcomed by Mayor Peter Chin, as consultation about management options for Harbour Cone was under way.
"Telecom's commitment to supporting planting at the site is very timely."
Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes welcomed a $5000 donation for a youth development workshop.
One hundred young people from the district would attend the workshop as part of the "Get Dotted" programme, which aims to bring the community together.
"Telecom's gesture will be of great help in getting the programme well under way in the district."
The donation will be presented by Telecom at the programme launch in late May.
A further $20,000, yet to be apportioned, will go to projects in Central Otago, Waitaki, Gore and Ashburton.
• COMPENSATION
> $75,000: Native tree planting, Dunedin.
> $35,000: Queenstown Lakes District Council, permanent events equipment.
> $5000: Clutha District Council, youth development workshop.
> $8000: Waimate District, for development of walking and cycling around Lake Wainono.
> $35,000: Towards extension of city walking and cycle track in Invercargill.
> $30,000: For Southland's six rural colleges to buy technology equipment for the classroom.
> $35,000: Timaru's Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre project.
> $7000: Towards upgrades to Fairlie and Twizel medical centres, and a bid for Night World Heritage Status for the sky near Lake Tekapo.
