MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 23 June 2005

A Bay of Plenty environmental fund worth half a million dollars will open for applications on Monday 27 June.

Iwi, community groups, schools, businesses and local authorities are invited to apply for funding from Environment Bay of Plenty’s Environmental Enhancement Fund this year.

Community engagement coordinator Jillian Houghton is looking for motivated and committed groups with projects that focus in some way on the environment and involve the community.

The Environmental Enhancement Fund has contributed well over $4 million to more than 200 projects since its launch five years ago. It is one of the most significant initiatives of its type in the country, Ms Houghton says.

Last year, the fund supported heritage protection, education programmes, pest control, wetland restoration and much more. In this funding round, the council is targeting four key areas that are particularly important for the region. They are nutrient reduction, wetland and waterway enhancement or restoration, cultural heritage preservation, and waste minimisation, including hazardous waste. Projects involving these elements will receive bonus points.

Environment Bay of Plenty’s website contains in-depth information on the fund, including application forms. Interested people are also invited to attend information sessions throughout the Bay of Plenty in July. “We’re running these gatherings for the first time this year so people can find out more about the criteria for funding and the types of projects that are eligible for it. We’ll go through the application form with them as well.”

She asks interested people to register for the meetings by calling Taiana Torea-Allan at Environment Bay of Plenty on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267), or just to turn up. The lunchtime sessions are being held at district and city council offices in Rotorua, Opotiki, Tauranga and Whakatane between July 6 and 12. For a full schedule, go to www.envbop.govt.nz or call Environment Bay of Plenty. Applications close on Friday 19 August.

Community meetings

Rotorua, 6 July, noon, Rotorua District Council
Opotiki, 7 July, 12.30pm, Opotiki District Council
Tauranga, 8 July, noon, Tauranga City Council
Whakatane, 12 July, noon, Whakatane District Council

Environment Bay of Plenty’s Jillian Houghton (left) and Taiana Torea-Allan welcome applications for the Environmental Enhancement Fund.

ENDS

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