Community posts

Does your community group have a project in mind but needs extra funding to get it over the line?
Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s community matching fund closes on 29 May.
The $140,000 fund is eligible for groups able to “match’’ Council’s cash grant – be it in volunteer hours, cash or similar matching criteria.
There are two parts to the fund – a general fund for social, recreational and cultural initiatives, which has a pool of $100,000 and the environmental fund for projects benefiting the natural environment which has a pool of $40,000.
Over the years the money has been a key to many groups across the Western Bay getting their projects off the ground.
The Pioneers Wetland in Katikati is one such project made possible with the initial funding of $19,000 from the matching fund.
The project is in its early stages and is turning Council’s stormwater pond into a native wetland oasis behind the Talisman Hotel, bordering Talisman Drive and Beach Road.
It features a boardwalk, native plantings and is overlooked by The Pioneers sculpture created in 2008 by artists Mark Hill to commemorate the town’s original Irish settlers.
Initial planting around the pond in previous years was done by Katikati College students through Wild About New Zealand and weed eradication was done by work teams from the Department of Corrections.
Wetland project coordinator Anne Henry says the matching fund was the start of what is now a collaborative community project supported by the Uretara Estuary Managers, Katikati Open Air Art, Katikati Taiao, the Community Board and Council’s utilities department.
The project has attracted further funding from the Tauranga Energy Consumers’ Trust (TECT) $36,000; Lion Foundation $5000 and Open Air Art $2000. A Give-a-little page has been launched for the balance. If you would like to help here’s the link: Https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/pioneers-wetland-boardwalk
If your group is wanting to get a project up and running but cash is short, the community matching fund is a great way to start.
Application forms are available on Council’s website until 29 May 2019. For all information on the Community Matching Fund 2019 visit: https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/our-council/grants-and-funding/Pages/default.aspx

Caption: The Pioneers Wetland community group hard at work on the project.

Students from five Western Bay schools are putting on their thinking caps to come up with ideas for the new Omokoroa Domain playground planned by Western Bay of Plenty District Council in partnership with local tangata whenua.
The new playground is part of a revamp of the Omokoroa Domain and Esplanade being undertaken over the next three years. The existing playground is old and the equipment outdated.
The project concept aims to create a destination playground within the large open space of the Domain. Construction of the playground is expected to start later this year.
Council’s playground project team is visiting Omokoroa No 1, Omokoroa Point, Pahoia, Whakamarama and Te Puna schools to give students and their teachers some pointers on themes and ideas they may wish to explore for the playground.
Students have been given work sheets to provide inspiration for their ideas and they will complete their project during Term Two. Each school will be sharing students’ ideas at a community event in Omokoroa in July where their work can be showcased.
Project landscape architect Tim Lander, LOAM Landscape Architects, says it is important to get the `child’s view’ of what playground design could achieve.
“The children are the experts in playgrounds – we want to tap into their imagination and encourage them to use their minds to come up with ideas that relate to the Domain’s environment, its unique Māori history, its European history, its seaside location and how all these themes can reflect in their play,” says Tim.
“Playgrounds hold many opportunities for learning and offer challenges for all ages and abilities. Greater awareness of the playground setting and its connections with nature are essential aspects to weave into fun and imaginative play experiences.”
The five schools – all between Apata and Te Puna West – were chosen because they are within the traditional mana whenua rohe of the Pirirākau Hapu.
Julie Shepherd from Pirirākau says it is important the schools and their local community are aware of who the local tangata whenua are.
“We wish to share with the students some of the historical events and stories that are significant and special to Pirirākau. Through Council’s Community Engagement Team and Pirirākau we will work on building relationships and sharing information.”
The Omokoroa Domain concept plan aims to find a balance between retaining the seaside and natural foreshore character while making sure the area caters for growth and multiple use. Tangata whenua will have their identity recognised through cultural interpretation within the design elements of the Domain development.