Landowners or individuals can now line up with catchment and community groups to apply for their resource consent fees to be covered for not-for-profit environmental projects, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) has decided.

Councillors have updated the existing Environmental Enhancement Projects Policy, broadening the criteria for applicants and the type of consent costs now covered.

ORC consents manager Joanna Gilroy said updating the policy will broaden its scope, which could provide support to additional environmental projects.

“The ORC is actively supporting non-commercial projects, which qualify for the funding, so they can deliver on numerous environmental enhancements around the region,” she said.

 A total up to $50,000 per year is already available through the Environmental Enhancement Projects Policy fund to help community and catchment groups with resource consent processing fees; to a cap of $10,000 per project. 

During the past financial year three groups received funding to a total of $13,342.

The current fee policy was introduced by councillors in 2021 after community feedback on consent costs for catchment group consents that related to environmental projects such as wetlands.

Joanna said the first of two policy changes will make it possible for an individual or landowner undertaking a project where there is an environmental benefit to be able to access support from the fund.

Previously the applicant list was limited to groups from catchments or trusts from the community, iwi, incorporated societies, educational institutes or resident/ratepayer groups.

The second policy change will provide for compliance and administration costs associated with the granted consent to be covered by the fund.

 Since July last year, $50,000 per year has become available to help community and catchment groups with resource consent processing fees; at the time part of a new fund introduced through the Long-term Plan.

Under the policy, a maximum of $10,000 per project will be available to cover consent processing fees for projects which meet certain criteria.

While the policy and fund is aimed at projects looking to improve biodiversity, water and air quality; often around wetland restorations, waterway fencing, riparian planting or creating walkways, financial assistance will also be considered for projects which “deliver climate change outcomes”, Joanna said.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate their project will provide an environmental benefit or service and is not intended for private commercial gain, among other criteria.

The ORC also offers an ECO Fund support, which councillors earlier this year increased through the Long-term Plan to $290,000 per year.