Huge congrats to the groups who have snapped up funding for a range of fantastic community projects around the Western Bay!
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has announced the successful recipients of this year’s Community Matching Fund.
The grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, with $160,000 in total spread across 45 not-for-profit groups and organisations.
From native plants, weeding equipment, bait stations and a new trailer, to murals, websites, support services and engaging rangatahi through skateboarding – these are just a few of the projects that have been given a financial boost thanks to the Community Matching Fund.
The fund is made up of a $100,000 general fund for social, recreational, and cultural initiatives, and $60,000 for environmental projects. This year, 13 groups from the environmental fund and 32 from the general fund were selected.
Deputy Mayor and fund selection panel member John Scrimgeour says community groups are vital to our way of life in the Western Bay.
“These groups do incredible mahi caring for our people and the environment, and the Community Matching Fund is one way that Council can support groups with extra funding to get their initiatives over the line.”
“Thanks to everyone who applied - we received so many great applications and the selection panel had a tough job narrowing them down to ensure a spread of projects across the District,” says John.
“We’re excited to see the projects come to life and make a real difference to our communities over the coming year.”
The selection panel is made up of Council staff, Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour and Councillors Murray Grainger and Allan Sole.
The successful groups
Predator Free Waihī Beach is one of the successful groups and is set to receive $6,728 of the environmental fund. Group Coordinator Pip Coombes says the funds will go towards the purchase of a new canopy trailer. “This trailer will help our predator trapping teams and Dot Watch volunteers to move heavy predator traps and bird protection equipment to identified sites. This will enable us to continue our work driving out pests and protecting our natives. Huge thank you to the Council’s Community Matching Fund, without their support we would struggle to meet our objectives and protect our precious taonga.”
As part of the general fund, Te Puke based whānau health and social services organisation Ngā Kākano Foundation will receive $3,000 to progress a creative mural incorporating local pūrakau for their Jellicoe Street public entrance. “This project will help us to reestablish our public presence and encourage better access to our services. It will also help strengthen relationships between our rangatahi and kaumatua as they’ll be working together to bring our Māori heritage to life,” says Foundation Communications Coordinator Candice Donner.
