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

Table 2 – Large-scale biodiversity projects - Projects and funding allocation - March 2025 round

Table 3 – General - Projects and funding allocation - March 2025 round

Table 4 – Sustained rabbit management - Projects and funding allocation - March 2025 round

Table 5 – Biodiversity Enhancement of Protected Private Land - Projects and funding allocation - March 2025 round

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

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