Halls, walkways get boost

Rural halls and walkways have both received a funding boost in the South Taranaki District Council’s long term plan.

Altogether, councillors approved an additional $105,400 of funding during their Long Term Plan 2018-28 meeting on Thursday.

The Council’s Rural Halls Fund was increased from $20,000 to $40,000 each year in response to submissions from rural hall committees who are facing increasing insurance costs, and $30,000 was included to support the maintenance of walkways throughout the district.

STDC chief executive Waid Crockett said the council had received 140 submissions, including 17 community funding requests, as part of the long term plan public consultation process.

Other community funding grants were: Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust $60,000, Hawera Cinema Trust $40,000, Taranaki Arts Festival Trust $35,000, Egmont A and P Association $20,000, STAGE Inc (Lysaght Watt Gallery) $15,000, Everybody’s Theatre $10,000, South Taranaki Neighbourhood Support Group $10,000, Paepae in the Park $7500, Taranaki Garden Trust $6000, Taranaki Enviroschools $5000.

Council proposals for its Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, an additional $500,000 for district walkways and cycleways and amalgamation of the Inaha and Waimate West rural water supplies were also approved after receiving strong public support.

A request from the South Taranaki District Museum Trust for a one-off grant of $285,000 to go towards stage two expansion of Aotea Utanganui, which was supported in principle, was held over so that a more detailed report could be considered.