Purakanui walking track benefits from grant

The Purakaunui Amenities Society has been granted $12,875 by the Walking Access Commission's Enhanced Access Fund for upgrading of the Purakaunui walking track.

Society president Jude Newton said the organisation was grateful for the funding, because the Purakaunui Inlet track had been getting "really bad".

"The tide washed away the rocks that held the bank up and it was starting to slump," she said. "We have spent a lot of time and work on this project."

Eighteen community groups throughout New Zealand will be able to upgrade local walking tracks, following the Walking Access Commission's Enhanced Access Fund's latest round of grants.

The Purakaunui group was chosen from more than 40 applications to the commission for financial support from an available pool of $230,000.

The Glenorchy Community Association received $10,000 for the Glenorchy Lagoon walkway extension, which was the only other allocation to an Otago-based organisationThe Purakaunui Amenities Society will require an additional $5000, which it hopes to raise with the help of the Otago Community Trust, to complete work on the walking track.

"We look forward to the completion of these projects so locals and visitors alike can enjoy access to the outdoors," New Zealand Walking Access Commission Board chairman John Forbes said.

- Sarah Turner