Five biodiversity projects, ranging from protecting rare plants at Wakanui Beach to planting wetlands at Staveley, have been granted a total of $30,500 from Council as part of a second round of community grants.

Another $33,500 was granted for other community projects, including $10,000 to help the Greenstreet/Ashburton Forks Hall Reserve Board underground and upgrade ancient electrical wiring in the hall.

Mayor Neil Brown said it was always a pleasure to grant money for community projects and about $300,000 had been given to organisations and community groups this financial year.

“All of these projects and causes make the Ashburton District a better place to be, whether it is helping restore a small native forest or rebuilding an old fire truck that has historical significance for the suburb of Allenton.”

Details of all Council grants and the recipients can be found here.

Biodiversity:

Ashburton Community Conservation Trust, $3000
The trust’s volunteers work hard to protect rare plants at Wakanui Beach. It will use the grant to help pay a skilled plantsman to grow seedlings and to build a fence at the beach to protect palatable plants from rabbits and hares. Plants will be labelled so visitors to the beach can learn more about them.

Lake Clearwater Hutholders Association, $7500
Hutholders are creating a strip of wetland running from the foreshore of Lake Clearwater to the public camping ground and volunteers plan to plant 1716 natives that will help deal with wastewater from the camping ground.

South Rakaia Bach Owners Association, $5000
The association will use the grant to help cover the cost of spraying and maintaining tracks in several areas replanted in native trees over recent years.  The goal is to improve the biodiversity of the settlement with native plantings, encouraging bird life and enhancing the area for the long term.

Staveley Campsite Committee, $7500
The committee will use the grant to help its ongoing work to protect and restore 10ha of remnant forest at Staveley Camp Forest.

Staveley Wetland Restoration Project, $7500
This project is about restoring an original wetland on the corner of Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road and Sawmill Road. The grant will be used to plant over 3880 plants this spring and for maintenance during the next two summers.

Discretionary Fund:

Ashburton Fire Museum, $5000
The Ashburton Fire Museum was granted $5000 to rebuild the Allenton Fire Brigade Dodge. The vehicle will be on permanent display at the museum and the Grey Watch volunteer crew is working hard to have it presentable in time for the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade’s 150th anniversary celebrations in November 2024.

Greenstreet/Ashburton Forks Hall Reserve Board, $10,000
The board is undergrounding power to the hall and upgrading old wiring and light fittings in the hall. It will also install a heat pump to replace old bar heaters, and add some new power points.

Community Infrastructure:

Alford Forest Reserve Board, $5500
The board is installing a heat pump in the Alford Forest hall. The hall is regularly hired and the old heaters need replacing.

Lauriston Hall, $3000
The grant will help pay for new aluminium windows in the hall, which is also used by Lauriston School. The old window sills are rotting and the building is no longer watertight.

Methven Croquet Club, $5000
The club is removing a hedge surrounding one half of the croquet lawn, and will replace it with a colour steel fence. It will be safer environment to play and easier for members to maintain.

Trail Maintenance Fund:

Mt Somers Walkway Society, $2500
The society will use the grant to help refurbish an existing wooden corduroy crossing a swampy area on the walking track to Woolshed Creek hut, near the Bus Stop. Work involves preparing and cutting timber, carting and flying it to site and installation. A new crossing will make the track safer for trampers to enjoy the area, especially in winter.

Methven Lions Club, $2500
Club members will use the money to help complete the walkway which will eventually circumnavigate the town.