Guidelines for Applicants
The Walking Access Act came into effect in 2008 to “provide the New Zealand public with free, certain, enduring, and practical walking access to the outdoors (including around the coast and lakes, along rivers, and to public resources) so that the public can enjoy the outdoors”.
The legislation was the result of extensive consultation with groups and individuals (including landowners), conservation groups, local authorities, recreational walkers, hunters, fishers and a range of outdoor associations. Consultation activities were facilitated by the Walking Access Consultation Panel appointed in 2005 by the Associate Minister for Rural Affairs.
The Act enabled the establishment of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission as a Crown entity with a range of functions. One function gives the Commission responsibility for “administering a fund to finance the activities of the Commission, or any other person, in obtaining, developing, improving, maintaining, administering, and signposting walking access over any land." Another function involves “researching, educating the public about, and participating in topics and programmes relating to walking access.”
The Commission has now established the Enhanced Access Fund to facilitate the involvement of individuals, groups and organisations in access projects across New Zealand.
What are the priorities for funding?
The Commission will give Enhanced Access Fund 2012 funding priority to projects that:
- obtain new outdoor access, including walkways, or formalising existing outdoor access to make it enduring;
- address existing access problems including the resolution of disputes, and allied activities such as signage; or
- support community outdoor access projects and needs.
Exclusions
The Enhanced Access Fund cannot be used for:
- activities that could reasonably be expected to be carried out by applicants on their own account; or
- for personal or commercial profit.
Who is eligible to apply for funding?
As well as individuals the following groups and organisations are eligible to apply to the Enhanced Access Fund:
- Community organisations.
- Territorial authorities in combination with community organisations.
- Umbrella/lead organisations applying on behalf of local groups.
- Iwi/hapu.
- Administering authorities of walkways.
- Educational organisations.
- Research providers.
- Access-related group or organisation.
The Commission wants to attract applications that show individuals, community groups and/or organisations working together to expand access and/or the public’s knowledge to enhance enjoyment of the outdoors in their localities. In some situations the local authority may be best placed to coordinate the project and assist with completing an application.
Partnerships
To achieve maximum impact from funding allocations the Commission prefers to see evidence of partnerships, including contributions from the applicant and other interested parties. Where other parties are involved applicants will need to provide letters of support showing how each individual, group or organisation will contribute to the project. This might involve financial assistance, non-cash support or both. Non-cash support could include materials, sponsored business services and/or volunteer labour.
What types of activites are eligible for funding?
Taking into account the Commission's priorities (see "What are the priorities for funding" above), the following types of project activities are eligible:
- Projects that support community access initiatives (eg, easements or other legal agreements for access).
- Projects that support the provision of information about access opportunities or the Outdoor Access Code for the public or landholders.
- Projects that provide access signage on either public or private land.
- Projects that provide access facilities, such as stiles and other structures to facilitate access on either private or public land.
- Projects that provide for other matters relevant to the promotion of walking access, (eg, research and education programmes).
The fund will not pay for retrospective costs or organisational overheads. Any capital expenditure must relate directly to equipment needed for the proposed project.
How much funding is available?
During 2012, $230,000 (including GST) is available for distribution via an application process.
A maximum of $50,000 may be allocated for any one project. However, given the total amount available the Commission also expects to support a number of smaller projects. Applicants may seek funding for projects that require up to three years to complete.
Funds will be distributed across the duration of the project.
Who will evaluate the applications?
Applications will be evaluated by the Commission and the Board of the Commission will make the final funding decisions.
What will the Commission be looking for?
Applicants will need to provide evidence that they meet the eligibility requirements as described above. These include:
In addition the Commission will consider how projects could contribute to one or more of the following:
- Providing free, certain, enduring and practical access for the public.
- Enhancing opportunities for access.
- Improving knowledge about access generally.
The quality of the project plan, the ability of the project team to successfully complete the project, and the quality of the outcome will also be taken into account.
The Commission reserves the unrestricted right to:
- not apply all of the amount in the Enhanced Access Fund; and/or
- fund a lesser amount than sought by the applicant.
How do I submit an application?
To ensure applications can be evaluated in a fair way, all applicants must use the Commission's Application Form. These forms are available by
clicking this link or by contacting the Commission (see below).
In many instances additional supporting information may be needed (eg, letters of support, plans, drawings, map references and photographs).
Applications may be sent by email, post or both (see contact details below). Your application must be received at the Commission no later than
5pm, Friday, 30 March 2011. Take care to include all relevant supporting documents. Do not bind applications as they need to be photocopied.
Accountability
At the time of submitting an application you will be asked to declare the information provided is true and complete and acknowledge, that if successful, a legal agreement will be drawn up between the applicant and the Commission. This will cover, for example, project approval, project details, start and finish dates, financial accountability, and reporting requirements.
Who can I talk to about a potential project?
Please contact us if you have any other questions or want clarification. If you are unsure about the eligibility of a potential project we are happy to discuss it with you.
Contact person:
Helen Barker
Corporate Services Manager
Phone (DDI) 04 815 8512
Email:
helen.barker@walkingaccess.govt.nz
Acknowledgements
We will acknowledge receipt of all applications. Once funding decisions have been made all applicants will receive notification in writing. Should your application be unsuccessful it will be returned to you.
Further information about the Commission
If you have any other questions related to the work of the Commission, please contact us.
Phone: +64 4 815 8502
Fax: +64 815 8516
Email: contact@walkingaccess.govt.nz
Postal Address:
New Zealand Walking Access Commission
PO Box 12-348 Thorndon
Wellington 6144
New Zealand
