Horizons Regional Council is handing money to 11 community groups throughout the region to use for various projects.

The total fund up for grabs was $20,000, with the council receiving requests for more than $133,000 in total.

This is the second round of community grants, with the first round seeing native planting, walkway development, plant propagation and management projects receive grants.

The programme was established to support community groups, schools, early childhood centres and iwi/hapu groups, with projects that enhance
the region and encourage more people to engage with the natural environment.

‘‘Our second round has shown us once again that there are so many groups involved in interesting and innovative projects that encourage our communities to make the most of what our region has to offer,’’ Horizons chairman Bruce Gordon said.

‘‘It’s fantastic that we can get behind a small number of these groups and help them achieve their goals. Many of these projects have volunteers and other funding ready to go, so with a little extra help from us they can really get under way.’’

Last week Horizons councillor Bob Walker criticised the council for its generosity, saying ratepayers could not afford handouts for community and environmental grants.

Cr Gordon said that by pooling resources the council was able to offer assistance to more projects and spread the benefit of these grants throughout the region.

The successful applicants were:

Bainesse School (Horowhenua): Native hillside redevelopment.

Kimbolton School (Manawatu): Greenhouse construction.

West End School (Palmerston North): Tawhirihoe Reserve and Tangimoana-Himatangi Beach project.
Friends of Waitoetoe Park (Palmerston North): Enhancement of Waitoetoe Park.

Taihape Area School (Rangitikei): Develop gully into amphitheatre.

Pahiatua School (Tararua): Carnival Park restoration and rehabilitation.

Apiti School (Manawatu): Revamp and revitalise the growing unit.

Ngamatea School (Wanganui): Continue developing wetlands area.

Progress Castlecliff’s Coast Care (Wanganui): Stabilise Castlecliff dunes with native plants and dhenhance biodiversity of the dunes.

Castlecliff School (Wanganui): Development of Robin’s Nest.

Owhango Bee Keepers Association (Ruapehu): Buying bee hives.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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