Up to 550 homes could be warmer this winter as part of an initiative aimed at improving the health of more "vulnerable'' residents within the Central Lakes Trust region.
The trust is giving $300,000 to improve the insulation in homes built before 2000.
The joint initiative between the trust, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and Cozy Kiwi (EECA) is aimed at helping low-income families who live in cold, damp or unhealthy conditions and who could not afford to pay the cost of insultation themselves.
"We see this as an important initiative to improve the health of the area's more vulnerable residents,'' trust chief executive Paul Allison said. Last year was the first year of the scheme and 193 homes were insulated, with the trust contributing $100,000.
"It was very successful and that's why we're giving a significant grant again. We've estimated up to 550 homes could benefit this time, '' Mr Allison said.
Sport Otago was also given $730,080 for its "learn to swim and survive'' programme, in the trust's latest round of donations.
The programme has been running in the wider Central Otago district for the past three years, improving children's swimming ability and also focusing on water safety.
A grant of $133,216 went to the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group for wilding pine control in St Bathans, the upper Manuherikia, Manorburn, Roxburgh Gorge, Conroys, Strode Rd and Picnic Creek areas.
Group project manager Phil Murray said the uncontrolled spread of wilding conifer was a serious threat to the landscape, conservation, recreation and economic values which were important to the local community.
As well, they increased the fire risk. Jolendale Park Charitable Trust received $20,000 to install automatic irrigation in the park on outskirts of Alexandra. Trustee and secretary Peter Ashworth said the park was a regional resource which attracted national and international visitors.
December grants: Abbeyfield Wakatipu Inc $130,000, Central Otago Reap 2016 courses $41,500, Otago Goldfield Heritage Cavalcade Host Town Committee $2420, Central Otago Principals Association $80,000, Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control $133,216, Energy Options Charitable Company $300,000, Jolendale Park Charitable Trust $20,000, NZ Rural Games Trust $10,000, Otago Multiple Sclerosis Society $2000, Pisa Range Music Society Inc $5000,Queenstown Lakes District Council $43,837, Royal New Zealand Plunket Society $7263, Southland Multiple Sclerosis Society $1000, Sport Otago $73,080, Stroke Foundation of New Zealand $3975, The Parenting Place $1500.
Insulation scheme
• Aimed at low-income families.
• Anyone interested in applying can contact Smart Energy Solutions, on smartenergysolutions.co.nz or 0800 888-766, to find out the criteria for eligibility.
• Some homeowners will be eligible for a complete subsidy; others will receive a partial subsidy.
