New Zealand Walking Access Commission announces availability of new funding to help public access to the outdoors

New Zealand’s Walking Access Commission has announced that is making $100,000 available to projects that enhance public access to the outdoors.

The Commission holds two application rounds each financial year for its Enhanced Access Fund - with the first round closing 30th September 2018, and the second on 31st March 2019 - with grants to be awarded from a total pool of up to $100,000.

In the last funding round the Hikuai District Trust won an $11,000 grant to resurvey parts of its 25-kilometre Pauanui-Tairua Cycle and Walkway.

Other recipients included Wellington’s Manawa Karioi ecological restoration project, which won a $5000 grant to erect signs and put in track markers that will help people walk local bush trails, and a $17,000 grant to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Trust to help with legal costs for a 55-kilometre long walking and cycling trail between Charleston and Westport.

The Commission’s acting Chief Executive Ric Cullinane encourages community groups, recreation clubs and other organisations who are building or enhancing tracks and trails to apply before 30th September.

Cullinane says the Commission’s priority is to fund projects that obtain certain and enduring access. These could include negotiations to secure access agreements, legal or survey costs, or the cost of obtaining Resource Management Act consents.

Other initiatives, such as signage, installing stiles and other activities that improve existing public access, are also eligible for funding.

Click here to access application forms, guidelines and further details about the application process are available on the Enhanced Access Fund page of the Commission’s website.

Image: Pauanui-Tairua Cycle and Walkway.