The Waiheke Local Board has approved funding for four initiatives designed to safeguard the island’s environment.
The $85,000 has been allocated across the board’s 2018-19 local environment work programme.
Approved projects include:
- Ecological community assistance fund - $30,000
- Sustainable Schools Waiheke – Marine Education Initiative - $18,000
- Giant kōkopu protection at Awaawaroa Wetland - $11,000
- Project Little Oneroa and wider Waiheke community engagement - $26,000.
Late last year the board informed staff about projects it wanted to fund. It also outlined concerns about the impact of failing or inadequate onsite septic systems on the water system, an interest in increasing environmental education, and support for animal and plant biodiversity through pest-free initiatives.
To help the environment in partnership with the community, the board indicated it wanted to establish an ecological community assistance fund to support community and landowner ecological restoration and management initiatives. The $30,000 will support a once-yearly funding round.
By working with schools, the board aims to help develop student-led action to restore and protect the marine environment.
Giant kōkopu protection is an ongoing project that focuses on pest control to protect kōkopu eggs from predation by rats and mice in its first year. This year’s grant will support further pest control.
Project Little Oneroa is going into year three of a five-year action plan that works through catchment management planning, community engagement, education and restoration, with an aim to restore the stream so that it is safe for human contact.
