Six projects dominate the $135,000 of funding allocated under Papakura Local Board’s Infrastructure and Environmental Services work programme.
Board chair Brent Catchpole says the work programme operates in a three-year cycle and the latest funding is the final year.
“The projects under this work programme align with outcomes identified in the 2020 Papakura Local Board Plan.
“Our largest allocation is $50,000 for Pest Free South Auckland, which is work we are continuing to support that will fund pest free initiatives across our area.
“Our neighbouring boards are all invested in the programme as we work to increase pest free initiatives, that have seen everything from weeding and planting days to widespread animal trapping and even small children eagerly hunting out moth plants.”
The Papakura Waste Minimisation programme receives $20,000 and goes into its fifth year of funding.
“This work supports residents to reduce their waste and live sustainably, and this year’s funding is based around workshops to give residents the practical skills they need to cut waste.
“We are grateful for the outstanding work of Sustainable Papakura in this area. Their amazing volunteers do so much great work at a sustainability hub that has rapidly become a drop-in hub for the community and a workspace.”
Work to restore the mauri of Te Koiwi pond, undertaken with Papakura Marae, continues.
The budget line for Wai Care was set at $32,000, work Catchpole says includes a school programme that enables students to undertake stream and marine health investigations, and to act in their own schools and local communities.
“There’s also $14,000 for our Papakura Stream restoration efforts alongside our neighbours in Franklin and Manurewa, and $11,200 for our Te Koiwi pond enhancement programme with Papakura Marae.
“Work at Te Koiwi will go into a third year and supports a partnership approach to regenerating the park and pond that honours kaitiakitanga responsibilities shared by mana whenua and the marae.
“It’s exciting work that will also see an education programme with the marae community, mana whenua, local artists, schools, rangatahi, and others to advocate for the catchment as the ecosystem improves.”
He says the final project might be the smallest funding at $8,000 but it is the board’s contribution to the Manukau Harbour Forum.
“We are one of the nine boards bordering the harbour and are committed to joining with those eight other boards to raise the profile and enhance the health of a precious asset.”
The work programme also includes $70,000 in asset-based services capital expenditure to investigate the redevelopment of the Bottle Top Bay Esplanade.
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