October 2009  - Funding allocated to three more environmental project

The Wairakei Environmental Mitigation Charitable Trust has announced that funding has been allocated to a further three environmental projects.

The Trust met last month and considered a number of environmental project applications and allocated a further $45,000 to three separate projects.

The Trust was established in 2003 during the re-consenting of the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station from the Department of Conservation and Fish and Game New Zealand. The Trust was funded by a one off $1 million contribution by Contact Energy.

The Trust objective is to “effectively and efficiently allocate the Trust funds to achieve the maximum environmental benefits through projects which comply with the purpose of the Trust.”

The Trust looks at environmental projects that will enhance, protect or research:

• The variety of geothermal characteristics within the volcanic plateau geothermal resource located within Environment Waikato’s regional boundary;
   
• The variety of geothermal characteristics within protected geothermal systems (as defined in the Waikato Regional Plan), and other geothermal systems within Environment Waikato’s regional boundary;
   
• The aquatic habitat and amenity, water quality or fishery values in the Upper Waikato River Catchment area (Lake Taupo Outlet to Ohakuri Dam).

The Trust has so far funded 12 projects totalling $491,353 while a further $600,000 has been allocated to the Ohaaki Wetlands project which is expected to be constructed next year. With the recent allocation of funds this takes the total number of projects to be funded by WEMCT to 16 at a total of $1,136,474.

For further information please contact Wairakei Charitable Trust Secretary Robyn Orchard on 0800 000 458 or
robyn.orchard@contact-energy.co.nz