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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