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Cristchurch City Council provides funding certainty for Banks Peninsula environmental groups

Tuesday 29 May 2012, 12:17PM

By Christchurch City Council

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BANKS PENINSULA

Five Banks Peninsula environmental organisations will have funding certainty for the next three years due to a change in policy by the Christchurch City Council.

A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by Mayor Bob Parker with five Banks Peninsula environmental organisation’s today. The organisations are:

  • Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust
  • Orton Bradley Park, Charteris Bay
  • Otamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust
  • Port Hills Park Trust Board
  • Summit Road Society

 

Mayor Bob Parker says he is delighted that these five organisations will receive their annual funding from the Council’s City Environment Group, from next year, which will contribute to their operational costs.

“By providing these organisations with some financial support, this ensures that they are able to continue their valuable work and it will enable us to work more closely together.  The shared vision that Council has with these organisations, to protect and enhance the Banks Peninsula’s natural and cultural values and recreation assets, will be supported by the annual funding from Council.

“Banks Peninsula is a popular destination for hikers, day-trippers and tourists and we need to ensure that this special environment is taken care of,” he says.

Background

Mayor Bob Parker will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the five Banks Peninsula environmental organisations on behalf of the Council today.

The signing will take place at 1pm on Tuesday 29 May 2012 at the Hill Top Tavern, 5207 Christchurch Akaroa Road, Banks Peninsula.

In signing the Memorandum the parties set out their mutual intentions in relation to progressing the shared aim: To recognise, protect and enhance the environment, restore and promote indigenous vegetation and habitats for indigenous fauna in relation to our areas of responsibility on Banks Peninsula, including the Port Hills; through practical conservation (including pest and weed management, track building and maintenance, and planting) education, community engagement, recreation provision, research and monitoring - for the benefit of the people of New Zealand.

The organisations previously relied on funding annually from the Council’s Strengthening Communities Fund which required them to undertake the funding application process every year.