Elation from Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust

Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust Chair Dr Dave Butler said there was elation from the trust over the Lottery Grants Board award of $1.25m, which would be echoed by the huge group of volunteers and supporters of the project once the news was out.

“This is a ringing validation of the Brook Sanctuary’s national significance, and an affirmation of the trust’s vision and robust planning,” he said. “It also recognises all the hard work members have put in towards realising the vision and the strong support for the project from our strategic partners and from the wider community.”

Dr Butler said the $1.25m grant gets the sanctuary to ‘within arms reach’ of starting construction on the pest-proof fence, but the trust is firm in its resolve to build the fence without incurring debt.

“There is now just a $200k gap left to reach our $4.7m target and we have other major funding applications already lodged and being prepared,” he said. “We’ll also be stepping up the ‘Get Behind the Fence’ campaign.”

Dr Butler said if the Nelson community, the Top of the South region, and the nation as a whole maintained their support he was confident there would be a start on the fence construction by the middle of this year.

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