28 Otago Projects Gain More Than $1m Environmental Funding From ORC
ORC Councillors today unanimously gave the green light for 28 community-lead environmental projects around Otago to receive a total $1,059,178, from its annual ECO Fund disbursement.
Total ECO Fund disbursements since mid-2018 are now more than $3.5 million.
ORC's Chair of the ECO Fund Assessment Panel, Alan Somerville, highlighted how community groups throughout Otago carry out vital environmental work.
'The community effort and commitment is inspiring. I'm only sorry we didn't have the funds to support more of the applications, noting that some very good projects have missed out.'
Of the original 69 applicants this year seeking a total $2.87 million, there were eventually 28 shortlisted who will receive a total $1,059,178 from the $1,059,500 million available. The fund was again oversubscribed almost three times.
'Since 2018 the ECO Fund has been there to support these community efforts. Otago gets immense value from the ECO Fund,' Cr Somerville says.
The funding supports community driven projects, which protect, enhance, and promote Otago's environment.
'Besides the benefits for biodiversity and freshwater quality, local people build valuable knowledge and skills and strengthen their community connections,' he says.
This year the Fund has supported a wide range of projects: control of wilding conifers, sycamores and willows, rabbits and predators; weed clearance and native planting; programmes to upskill volunteers in trapping and monitoring and to help schools with restoration projects.
'We've funded groups with a proven track record, but also some first-time applicants,' he says.
While thanking all the groups who applied, Cr Somerville says there was still plenty more to do and encouraged organisations to begin thinking about next year's ECO Fund.
Reallocation
Council today endorsed a budget reallocation from two of the ECO Fund funding categories to another ECO Fund funding category, which allowed for the funding of two additional projects in the General funding category.
The ECO Fund Assessment Panel met on 15 April 2025 to assess the applications, ultimately recommending 28 applications to Council for funding to a total value of $1,059,178. This includes the reallocation of $3502 and $35,000 from the categories of weed removal and revegetation (Biodiversity operations budget) and critical source area management on private land (Land and Water operations budget) respectively, to other specific ECO Fund funding categories due to undersubscription.
To date, $3.63 million distributed since 2018
Over the past 11 rounds of ECO Fund since mid-2018, a total $10.45 million was applied for, with a total 194 applicants (those shortlisted) from a total 420 applicants, successful, with a total $3.63 million having been distributed.
On average, each of the 11 rounds was oversubscribed by 300%.
Table 1 – Summary of recommendations from the Assessment Panel
Funding category Number of applications recommended for funding Total grant amount
Large-scale biodiversity projects 4 $450,000
General 9 $348,001
Sustained rabbit management 3 $100,000
Biodiversity enhancement on protected private land 7 $99,757
Critical source area management on private land 1 $15,000
Weed removal and revegetation 4 $46,420
Total 28 $1,059,178
Table 2 – Large-scale biodiversity projects - Projects and funding allocation - March 2025 round
Organisation Project Name District Project Activity Grant Amount
Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust Makarora Biodiversity Protection QLDC Pest animal control $ 105,572
Upper Taieri Wai Restoring the Upper Taiari Scroll Plain CODC Weed control and native planting $ 149,900
Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group Contorta to Native Shelterbelt Transitions CODC Weed control and native planting $ 150,000
Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust Mapping Biodiversity Outcomes at Okia DCC Pest animal control, native planting
$ 44,528
(part)
Total $ 450,000
Table 3 – General - Projects and funding allocation - March 2025 round
Organisation Project Name District Project Activity Grant Amount
Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau - Sinclair Wetlands Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau / Sinclair Wetlands CDC Weed and pest animal control, wetland hydrology enhancement $ 49,800
Predator Free Cromwell Predator Free Cromwell: Educate, Protect, Restore CODC Pest animal control $ 42,791
Whakatipu Wildlife Trust Building Community Monitoring Capability QLDC Pest animal control and native fauna $ 39,003
Whakatipu Reforestation Trust Educate for Nature QLDC Native revegetation $ 49,500
Matukituki Charitable Trust Innovation in the Matukituki Valley QLDC Pest animal control $ 49,490
Manuherekia Catchment Group Keeping Orkney Wetland Flourishing CODC Weed control, wetland hydrology enhancement $ 29,032
Tomahawk-Smaills BeachCare Trust Growing Habitat for New Zealand Sea Lions DCC Native planting $ 48,200
Tucker Beach Wildlife Trust Tucker Beach Wildlife Reserve Restoration QLDC Weed control and native planting $ 37,200
Dunedin Environment Centre Trust Kaikorai Estuary Restoration Project DCC Native planting $ 2,985
Table 4 – Sustained rabbit management - Projects and funding allocation - March 2025 round
Organisation Project Name District Project Activity Grant Amount
Peregrine neighbours ECO group Peregrine neighbours ECO group QLDC Pest animal control $ 42,570
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kātiki Point Rabbit-proof Fencing and Planting WDC Pest animal control
$ 23,560
(part)
Titri Pest Management Group Titri Pest Management CDC Pest animal control
$ 33,870
(part)
Total $ 100,000
Table 5 – Biodiversity Enhancement of Protected Private Land - Projects and funding allocation - March 2025 round
Organisation Project Name District Project Activity Grant Amount
Sutton Creek Trust Jones Tors Covenant DCC Native planting and threatened species $ 9,757
Remarkables Station National Trust Limited Remarkables Station Sycamore Control QLDC Weed control $ 15,000
Reid Family Trust Porteous Road Restoration Project DCC Native planting $ 15,000
Matai Hill Trust Matai Hill Restoration Project DCC Native planting $ 15,000
Waitati Beach Reserve Society Waitati Beach Reserve Habitat Restoration DCC Weed control and native planting $ 15,000
Hazeldale Farming Limited Hazeldale Fen Fencing CDC Fencing $ 15,000
Makarara Farm Makarara Farm QEII Enhancement DCC Native planting $ 15,000
Table 6 –Critical source area management on private land - Projects and funding allocation - March 2025 round
Table 7 – Weed removal and revegetation - Projects and funding allocation - March 2025 round
Organisation Project Name District Project Activity Grant Amount
Dog Owners Group Cape Wanbrow DOG Cape Wanbrow WDC Native planting $ 400
Otokia Creek and Marsh Habitat Trust Weed removal on the Otokia Marsh DCC Weed control $ 15,000
Ida Valley Catchment Group Poolburn gorge willow removal and revegetation CODC Weed control $ 15,000
Deborah Bay Residents' Association DBRA Sycamores DCC Weed control $ 16,020
Total $ 46,420
Location of projects Number of projects per location
Clutha district 3
Central Otago district 5
Dunedin area 10
Queenstown Lakes district 8
Waitaki / North Otago 2
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