Community based groups are set to benefit from almost $2M allocated in community grants over the next three years.

The groups include sports and recreation clubs, environmental, economic and housing developments, arts and cultural trusts and residents’ associations.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council has set aside $1.99M for community grants across the district in its 10-Year Plan, which is scheduled to be signed off by councillors in this week’s meeting (Wednesday June 30).

Community grants used to be an annual allocation but are now separated into two funds – three year grants and one-off, one year grants. 

A number of Upper Clutha based community groups have been advised their requests for funding for each of the next three years will be met, including Kahu Youth ($20k to support rental costs); Te Kakano ($15k for operational support); Wai Wanaka ($50k for administration support, and Sport Otago/Sport Central ($35k for administration support).  

Committee member Nic Blennerhassett hard at work during a working bee on Ruby Island. PHOTO: Supplied

Recreational cycling and walking is well supported with Bike Wanaka receiving $20k each year to help maintain trails and promote biking and the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (UCTT) being allocated $50k a year for administration support. 

UCTT member John Wellington said the trust’s volunteers applied every year to cover administration costs but had also requested funding for three projects planned over the next three years.

“We’re very pleased to get the annual grant and, while we’re disappointed, we’re not surprised council didn’t put in funding for any of our projects,” he said.

The UCTT projects identified for the next three years are a track linking the end of Beacon Point Road at the lake’s edge up the terrace to Peninsula Bay’s reserve at the end of Mt Gold Place and across the reserve to connect with the trails below Sticky Forest; remediation and realignment of sections of the Glendhu Bay track; and a new track beside Camphill Road connecting Hāwea Flat with the Maungawera Valley.

For every dollar the UCTT receives from council it tries to raise three dollars from other grants and public funding, such as the Givealittle page it has established to upgrade the Pawson’s Crossing Bridge over the Cardrona River, John said.

The Alpine Community Development Trust, which runs Community Networks, has been allocated over $150k in the next three years towards rental costs for its base at the Wanaka Community Hub as well as an additional $120k from 2022 towards development initiatives.  

The Ruby Island management committee (RIMC) also made a submission to the council for annual funding as well as a one-off project and were pleased to learn they will be allocated $17,416 for a new public BBQ and annual maintenance costs in year one, plus an additional $3,530 in years two and three for operational maintenance.

“It’s great news, we’re really thrilled,” RIMC member Nic Blennerhassett said. 

The council has recognised its responsibility towards the maintenance of Ruby Island as well as acknowledging the island’s increasing popularity with visitors, she said. 

The RIMC had made a good case to replace the unreliable BBQ on the island with a new robust model similar to the many other lakeside public BBQs and the funding meant the new BBQ should be operational this summer, Nic said.

Other community groups which have been allocated funding for this coming financial year only include Aspiring Gym Sports ($30k to support rental costs); Hidden Hills Community Association ($4,250 to support beautification of the Mt Iron Track entranceway); and Wanaka Alcohol Group ($15k to deliver a community action plan).

Recognised community associations, such as the Cardrona Valley Residents and Ratepayers Association and the Hāwea Community Association, are also each entitled to a $5,000 grant to support community projects, in addition to the grants described above.