A vision of warmer homes, surrounded by cleaner and healthier air in the Otago region has become clearer following a $50,000 donation to the Otago Regional Council's Warm Homes, Clean Heat, Clear Air programme.
The donation was one of 29 given to organisations throughout Otago in the November round of Otago Community Trust grants, totalling $163,000.
Programme manager Jeff Donaldson said the project subsidised insulation work in older homes, and installed alternative heating for low-income families in Arrowtown, Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Milton and Dunedin.
It was hoped the three-year initiative would improve air quality standards as required by the Ministry for the Environment.
So far, 289 insulation upgrades and 154 appliances had gone into Otago houses, and a further 150 retrofits and 100 heating installations were planned for the next six months, he said.
Mr Donaldson welcomed the Otago Community Trust's involvement in the programme.
"For every dollar we gain locally, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority will give us $1.20. This grant adds great assistance and value to the project."
Other donations: Tokomairiro Early Learning Centre $35,000; 2009 iD Emerging Designer Awards $10,000; Jenny's Companionship Group Inc. (Balclutha) $2500; Kaitangata Golf Club Inc. $1000; Tourism Catlins $3000; Cromwell Youth Worker Trust $5000; Cystic Fibrosis Association (Otago) $2000; Disability Information Service (Dunedin) $5000; Kaikorai Kindergarten $3500; Logan Park Tennis Foundation $2000; Macandrew Bay School $4000; Otago Theatre Trust $3000; Parents Inc - Attitude Division (Dunedin) $1000; Roslyn Kindergarten $1500; Royal Dunedin Male Choir Inc. $1000; South Dunedin Christian Network $1000; Southern Area Judo Association (Dunedin) $1500; Southern Cross Kids Camp NZ $5000; Southern Heritage Trust $3000; Straight Up Trust (Dunedin) $5000; Te Tutua Trust (Dunedin) $1000; Milton Kindergarten $7000; Arthur Burns Preschool (Mosgiel) $500; Taieri Parents Centre $1000; Scout Association - St Patricks (Oamaru) $750; Sea Scouts - Scotts Own (Oamaru) $3000; Waitaki Community Recreation Centre Trust $2500; Flat Out Production (Wanaka) $2000.
