Community focused programmes and projects are set to receive a $22.3 million funding boost over the next year thanks to Whau Local Board.
The funding covers projects across a cross-section of community activities including parks and facilities, the arts, heritage, events, social innovation and environmental programmes.
Whau Local Board Chair, Kay Thomas, is pleased that the entire community across the Whau will benefit from the funding.
“Whau Local Board is committed to working for the betterment of our area. We have carefully reviewed our programmes and services to ensure we meet the community’s needs as best we can.
“We continue to foster our distinct identity through celebrating the rich diversity of our area, investing in arts and culture, and honouring our Māori heritage. We want to continue to build community and environmental resilience, increase our tree canopy cover, and invest in infrastructure to cater to our rapidly growing population.
“The projects and amenities enabled through the Customer and Community Services work programme will continue to strengthen our social fabric across the entire Whau Local Board area.”
Alongside the ongoing funding of community leadership programmes, operational requirements of community hubs, facilities maintenance, community-led arts activities and engagement with youth and diverse communities, specific programmes received funding.
This includes $15,000 of funding for the Kai Across the Wau programme to promote locally driven kai projects.
A $97,000 operational grant was approved for Fund Portage Ceramics Trust to operate Te Toi Uku, a museum collection of New Zealand ceramics and pottery making equipment.
The West Auckland clay industry influenced the social and environmental landscape of the area. Recording and celebrating the unique stories of the Whau Local Board area clay works enables the community to access information about the unique heritage of the area.
The operational grant will enable community access to the Ambrico Kiln site and will provide opportunities to learn about the local ceramics heritage.
The Whau ecological and environmental programme was allocated $29,480 to support volunteer initiatives including community planting, pest control, park and beach cleanups and community education. A further $381,978 was allocated to arboriculture projects for tree management and maintenance in parks and on streets.
Library services for Blockhouse Bay Library, Avondale Library and New Lynn Library received $996,563, plus a further $17,100 for the provision of additional opening hours.
Event partnerships received $93,750, supporting local groups to deliver community events.
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