A total 33 environmental projects across Otago have been granted a total $854,733 in this year’s annual ECO Fund and
Incentives Funding programmes.
This afternoon, at a full Council meeting in Dunedin, the 33 recipients from both funding streams were confirmed by
Councillors; bringing total funds dispersed since mid-2018 to more than $2.5 million.
Of about $918,000 available this year, a total 65 applicants were initially seeking $2.7 million – about three times
oversubscribed – with the 33 successful applicants now to share a total $854,733.
The funding supports community driven projects, which protect, enhance, and promote Otago’s environment, which now tops
a total $2.58 million going to 166 organisations since mid-2018.
ORC’s Chair of the ECO Fund Assessment Panel, Alan Somerville, says he’s delighted the ECO Fund and incentive funding
programme has been able to support projects across Otago - from the headwaters and Central Otago to North Otago, Dunedin
and the Catlins.
“Otago gets huge value from the ECO Fund. Control of pests - sycamores, rabbits and possums - protects our natural
landscapes and habitats. Native revegetation restores habitat and looks after our waterways. Traplines and control of
predators further helps our native animal populations recover,” Cr Somerville says.
He says the ECO Fund goes “way beyond” ecological benefits.
“Communities know what matters most locally and the ECO Fund can empower them to turn those ideas into action. Local
groups throughout Otago build valuable knowledge and skills and strengthen their community connections. They put in a
very impressive amount of work,” he says.
Local groups also play an important part in educating their communities about environmental values and action.
“It’s especially pleasing that we have supported environmental programmes in three primary schools. Those children can
carry their attitudes of care for the environment into their adult lives,” he says.
Cr Somerville highlighted the funds were bigger than ever this year, but ORC was still not able to fund all applicants.
“Thanks to everyone who took part. We’ll take what we have learnt from this round into a review of the fund and its
processes, so we can make things work as well as possible for the environment and the people of Otago.”
ORC’s Manager Environmental Implementation Libby Caldwell says the oversubscription again this year in-part likely
reflects the ending of the Government’s Jobs for Nature funding which had supported many groups in past years.
“Oversubscription reflects the ongoing need in communities for these important funding streams,” she says.
“The wide variety of projects approved for funding is a great example of the ORC working in partnership with local
communities around Otago, to improve and enhance the environment in many ways,” Mrs Caldwell says.
The applications covered a wide variety of topics, from pest plant and animal control, native species protection and
habitat restoration, native revegetation, and regeneration.
Within all the funding there was a new one-off large scale biodiversity Incentive Fund of $300,000, which attracted 10
applications seeking a total $1.27 million. Three applicants were recommended for the total $300,000.ECO Fund - Recommended projects and funding allocation March 2024 roundOrganisationProject NameDistrictProject ActivityRecommended Grant amountMokihi Reforestation TrustMokihi Reforestation Trust planting sitesCODCNative revegetation$29,520.22Penguin RescueImproving yellow-eyed penguin health through screening bloodWDCThreatened species$11,500.00Aspiring Biodiversity TrustMakarore/Makarora Ōtānenui/Wilkin Catchment threatened species project - From ridge to riverQLDCPest animal control$50,000.00Tūmai Beach Restoration TrustTūmai beach coastal forest restorationDCCNative revegetation$47,402.99Alexandra Primary SchoolNative moth and butterfly habitat restorationCODCNative revegetation$2,000.00Hampden SchoolPlanting the seeds of ecosystems restoration through a native nursery at Hampden SchoolWDCPlant nursery$15,000.00Seek Weeds and Terminate (SWAT) under the umbrella of Save the Otago Peninsula IncOtago Peninsula Darwin's Barberry containment projectDCCPest plant control$35,836.30Kyeburn catchment LtdKye Burn Central Otago roundhead galaxias restorationCODC Pest animal control$48,540.00Puketapu Community TrustWaihemo recreation reserve regenerationWDC Pest animal control and native revegetation$49,780.00Friends of Burns Reserve TrustSycamore in Burns Park Scenic Reserve and environsDCC Pest plant control$24,874.50Total$314,454.00
Incentives – Planting after Pest Plant Control - Recommended projects and funding allocation for March 2024 roundOrganisationProject NameDistrictProject ActivityRecommended Grant amountThe Rotary Club of OamaruRotary Glen native plantingWDCNative planting$13,078.95Otago Fish & GameBendigo Wildlife ReserveCODCNative planting$5,000.00Hāwea Charitable TrustEnhancing Lake Hāwea's indigenous biodiversity: Rowley Bay-Stage 3QLDCNative planting$5,678.17Lower Manorburn Reserve working group/committeeLower Manorburn Reserve wilding conifer removal and native revegetation projectCODCNative planting
$11,414.30
(part)Total$35,171.42
Incentives – Planting for Water Quality - Recommended projects and funding allocation for March 2024 roundOrganisationProject NameDistrictProject ActivityRecommended Grant amountFriends of Bullock Creek IncBullock CreekQLDCNative planting$6,675.00Maheno SchoolMaheno School native plants projectWDCNative planting$5,000.00Total$11,675.00
Incentives – Biodiversity Enhancement of Protected Private Land - Recommended projects and funding allocation for March
2024 roundOrganisationProject NameDistrictProject ActivityRecommended Grant amountPūrākaunui Block IncorporatedPūrākaunui Block Inc - Saltmarsh restoration planDCCPest plant control and native planting$15,000.00Remarkables Station National Trust LimitedRemarkables Station sycamore ControlQLDCPest plant control$15,000.00Soho Property LimitedAT220 trapping expansionQLDC Pest animal control$8,500.00David MallochWoody weed control at Bendoran Farm covenant, WaikouaitiDCCPest plant control$14,400.00Rachel Gibb19 Ellesmere Street covenantDCCPest plant control and native planting$8,084.50Roselle FarmRoselle QEII bush restorationDCCPest plant control$2,449.00Auldamor LtdAuldamor Farm covenantDCCNative planting$15,000.00The Matai Hill Trust/Neo Leaders LtdMatai Hill restorationDCCPest plant control$15,000.00Total$93,433.50
Incentives – Sustained Rabbit Management - Recommended projects and funding allocation for March 2024 roundOrganisationProject NameDistrictProject ActivityRecommended Grant amountPukehau Ahu Whenua TrustNeighbours' knowledge exchange- collaborative best practice rabbit managementDCCPest animal control$11,478.00Hidden Hills Residents AssociationHidden Hills rabbit project certification trainingQLDCPest animal control$860.44Luggate Heights Residents GroupRabbit exclusion fencing, Luggate HeightsQLDCPest animal control$12,500.00Lovells Flat Rabbit Control GroupLovells Flat rabbit control fencingCDCPest animal control$34,863.30Otago Peninsula Biodiversity GroupRabbit control on the Otago PeninsulaDCCPest animal control$25,833.95Maungawera Biodiversity Group IncMaungawera Valley rabbit containmentQLDCPest animal control
$14,464.31
(part)Total$100,000.00
Incentives – Large Scale Biodiversity - Recommended projects and funding allocation for March 2024 roundOrganisationProject NameDistrictProject ActivityRecommended Grant amountSouthern Lakes Sanctuary TrustMakarora Biodiversity ProtectionQLDCPest animal control$111,608.00Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand IncHilltops to sea - restoring priority habitats and species along the Otago coast.DCC, CDCPest animal control$137,779.82