Otago Regional Council (ORC) has given the green light to a $2M fund designed to back the region’s biggest and boldest community-led environmental projects.

The new Large-Scale Environment Fund will be open to community-led projects across Otago, ORC environmental implementation manager Libby Caldwell said, but it will prioritise big-ticket initiatives.

“This fund is targeted at environmental projects which have intergenerational impacts, local leadership, and action which is driven by communities, and alignment to ORC strategy and strategic direction,” Libby told the Wānaka App.

Projects could range from waterway revitalisation or restoration to wilding conifer proposals, on-ground works, biodiversity enhancement, and so on, she said.

Libby said the new fund will differ from the ECO Fund (another ORC fund supporting environmental initiatives) mainly in its large-scale focus.

“[Successful applications are] likely to be projects which are of a higher value and include collaborative projects,” she said. “The specific criteria will be developed in coming months, with recommendations for council to consider.”

 A two stage process for fund allocation is proposed, Libby told the Wānaka App. 

“Firstly, interested organisations would submit a registration of interest so that assessment of their eligibility would be undertaken,” she said. “This would be followed by a more detailed proposal submitted through a request for proposal process.” 

“Further detail on this process will also be presented to council for approval in due course.”

ORC councillors unanimously endorsed the Large-Scale Environment Fund, which will be funded from council reserves, at a council meeting in late June.

Environment delivery committee co-chair Lloyd McCall said he was excited for ORC to be be able to support and enable community led environmental action at scale.

“There is already significant investment that the community are contributing to environmental outcomes and to be able to support more of this to happen on the ground is vital to enhance what we have for future generations,” Lloyd said.

PHOTO: Wānaka App