Matata fernbird 1
Photo by Shellie Evans at Flickr

Get Outdoors Week an opportunity to fund local tracks

Get Outdoors Week (15-22 February 2019) is a fantastic opportunity for local communities to improve tracks, trails and public access in their area. Walking Access Commission Chief Executive Ric Cullinane says the Commission wants to support these community projects with funding.

The Commission is currently seeking applicants for its Enhanced Access Fund grants. The fund has a total pool of $100,000 available over two application rounds each financial year. The second round of applications is open until 31 March.

The Commission approved over $37,000 worth of grants in its last application round of funding. For instance, successful applicants included $7,600 to the Taranaki Biodiversity Trust to restore Rawhitiroa Wetland. The trust is installing tracks to improve community access to the area. These will create walking opportunities and teach conservation values about wetlands.

Ric Cullinane says community groups that build tracks and improve public access are full of community heroes.

"We encourage them to use Get Outdoors Week as a chance to apply for funds for their projects."

He says the Commission’s priority is to fund projects that support certain and enduring access. These could include negotiations to secure access agreements. Or they could cover legal or survey costs, or the cost of obtaining Resource Management Act consents.

Other initiatives, such as erecting signs, installing stiles and improving public access, are also eligible for funding.

Application forms, guidelines and further details about the application process are available on the Enhanced Access Fund page of the Commission’s website.

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Photo credit: NZ Fernbird - Mātātā by Shellie Evans at Flickr