The Friends of Cromwell Cemetery won’t be getting its rabbit-proof fence just yet after the Cromwell Community Board told the group to relook at its project plan.

The group has made three presentations to the board about the state of the cemetery, with rabbits digging up holes alongside grave sites, and asked for $48,645 under the community grants scheme to sort the problem.

Annually, there was $50,000 to distribute, with a further $106,219 to distribute in the promotions & events grants scheme.

CODC community development advisor Rebecca Williams has been working with the group and liasing with council about the best way forward.

“We seem extraordinarily slow but there is often a reason,” she told the board yesterday.

She said there was no doubt the cemetery needed some investment but the advice from council staff was that rabbit proof fencing was not required.

Board chair Anna Harrison said there were definitely rabbits in the cemetery, “but it’s how much the fence will contribute compared to what has already been done.”

Council had pindone poison budgeted for ongoing rabbit control, and board members acknowledged that the cemetery group would be disappointed not to be able to do more right now.

The board agreed for the Friends of Cromwell Cemetery to complete a project plan with the council parks and recreation team, and resubmit another application in the next funding round.

Meanwhile, Cromwell and Districts Promotions was given $97,500 towards running its three successful events - Light Up Winter, Cherry Pit Spit Championships and the annual Street Party and Fireworks.

The events cost $177,725 and the promotions group asked for $106,000.

“The popularity of events like these have grown and grown and grown,” Anna said.

Central Otago Friendship Network was also awarded $4000 from the community grants scheme.

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