Cobb Mitigation group looks at grant contenders
The Cobb Mitigation Fund Advisory panel met recently to consider the latest round of applications for grants.
The group makes recommendations to the Tasman Environmental Trust, which is able to distribute up to about $25,000 a year to suitable projects. The money is the interest on three instalments of $200,000 paid by Trustpower over a 36-year period as a way of making good some of the effects of the Cobb Dam.
“It’s all about doing something positive for the waterways that were impacted by the dam,” explains panel member Philip Simpson.
Tracey Osborne, who chairs the panel, says that her satisfaction will come when she is able to look back and see all of the things that have been achieved over the life of the fund.
Panel member Robin Manson said there were a lot of things happening in the catchment. One of the things we were able to support was the DOC planting at Paynes Ford. It’s quite satisfying when you get to see projects starting to work.”
Kathy Hindmarsh says she is impressed by the number of farmers “getting really enthused” about things like riparian planting and wetland development.
Brian Petterson says he likes the way the fund is helping landowners and volunteer groups to “turn the clock back”.
In the current round, the panel was considering more applications from volunteer groups doing good work than from farmers and other landowners undertaking projects on their own land.
Neil Wilson
