New Zealand Walking Access Commission
Media Release
2 February 2011

Enhanced Access Fund invites applications

Organisations and individuals undertaking projects to enhance access to the outdoors can now apply for funding through the 2012 round of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission’s Enhanced Access Fund.

Up to $230,000 (including GST) is available, with a maximum grant of $50,000 possible to any one organisation. The deadline for applications is 30 March 2012 and application forms are available on the Commission’s website.

This year, funding priority will be given to projects that support community outdoor access initiatives (eg, easements or other legal agreements for access), projects that provide information about access opportunities or responsible outdoor behaviour, and projects that provide access signage. Projects that provide access facilities, such as stiles or other structures, and projects that assist the promotion of walking access, such as research and education programmes, are also eligible.

New Zealand Walking Access Commission Chief Executive Mark Neeson said the fund provided a much needed helping hand for community projects and contributed to the Commission's goal of free, certain, enduring and practical walking access to the outdoors.

“In many cases the fund can provide that final piece of financial assistance a hard working individual, community group or organisation needs to get their project over the line. Free access to beaches, lakes, rivers and mountains is a wonderful part of New Zealand’s culture and the fund helps ensure that access continues to improve for future generations.”

Thirty projects have received funding through the Enhanced Access Fund since its first funding round in 2010. Among those that have been completed are the Pahi Peninsula Walkway and Lake Ngatu Track in Northland, Dalton’s Track near the Pelorus Bridge in Marlborough, the Lake Hill Track near Canterbury’s Lake Coleridge, and the Purakaunui Inlet Track in Otago.

ENDS

© Scoop Media