The Otago Regional Council has confirmed the model it will use to deliver its $2 million Large-scale Environmental Fund (LSE), with the final process to be decided next month.
Councillor and environmental delivery portfolio co-lead Andrew Noone said the LSE fund delivery model would combine a contestable model with a targeted investment approach.
"This model gives council staff flexibility to both identify suitable delivery partners and allow community groups and organisations to propose projects aligned with council priority actions or catchment action plan delivery," he said.
"It maintains open, transparent access to funding across Otago, while enabling council staff to target community groups and organisations who are known to have the capability and capacity to deliver priority actions."
The LSE fund was approved by councillors in June last year as part of the long term plan 2024–2034, with up to $2 million allocated annually to enable delivery of high-impact environmental outcomes across Otago.
"ORC already delivers environmental funding through both application-based (contestable) and direct allocation models. This fund builds on these existing tools by enabling larger projects and focusing investment on council’s priority actions."
He said the fund represented a significant increase in the council’s commitment to Otago’s environment and is aimed at delivering measurable gains in biodiversity, ecosystem health, and climate resilience.
Projects would be developed in alignment with council priority actions.
Council’s approach to large-scale funding would be guided by three key principles: having intergenerational impact, facilitating collaboration across the system and alignment to organisational strategy and strategic direction.
Cr Noone said the fund could also support the delivery of catchment action plans, which are being developed across Otago. — Allied Media
