Agenda of Grants Allocation Committee (Heritage Fund) Meeting

Grants Allocation Committee (Heritage Fund) Meeting Agenda

20 February 2020

7.1 Heritage Fund Grant Allocations 2019-20

Author: Rob Cross, Programme Manager Biodiversity

Authoriser: James Jefferson, Group Manager Place and Space

Purpose of Report

1 This report summarises applications for grants from the Heritage Fund and makes recommendations on funding allocations.

Delegation

2 This Committee may make a decision under the following delegation in Sections B.6 of the Governance structure:

“This Committee will consider and allocate grant moneys in accordance with the meeting cycles and criteria of five granting programmes…Heritage Fund.”

Background

3 The Heritage Fund was established in 2001 with the intention of assisting and actively encouraging landowners and members of the Kāpiti Coast community to manage, protect and enhance natural features throughout the district, including ecological, geological, historical and cultural sites.

4 To be eligible for funding, projects must meet the criteria set out in the Heritage Fund Application Criteria and Guidelines, attached as Appendix 1, or be a contribution to the establishment of a QEII Trust covenant.

5 A total of 12 applications for funding in 2019-20 have been received requesting a total of $35,972, slightly less than the $36,254 available for allocation this year. All the projects meet the funding criteria and merit support.

6 One application is for a project in the research and education category and the others are for projects in the heritage feature management and preservation categories. The following section will cover the details of each project and provide reasoning for the recommendations made. The location of projects is shown on a map (Appendix 2), and there are photographs of project sites (Appendix 3).

Considerations

95 Panorama Drive

7 This 5.35ha property includes edges of a much larger District Plan Ecological Site (KO95, 72ha) encompassing the top and eastern flanks of the north end of the Paraparaumu Escarpment. The property adjoins the Council’s Kaitawa Reserve and includes riparian margins of the Wharemauku Stream. The applicant proposes a natural heritage management project to control pest animals that predate native birds and insects and inhibit regeneration of native bush.

8 Ecological Site KO95 is regarded as regionally significant because it comprises under-represented kohekohe-titoki coastal forest and a large area of regenerating kanuka-mahoe forest. It also provides an ecological link between the Council-owned Raumati Escarpment (Matai Huka) and Kaitawa Reserve, both of which are undergoing restoration.

9 The owners of this property are dedicated conservationists who are committed to restoring the values of their ecological site. They have constructed predator fences along three sides of the property and for eight years have attempted to control pest plants and animals. They have applied for $1,445 out of a project cost of $13,045 to expand and maintain a network of bait stations and kill traps to control possums, stoats, rats, feral cats and hedgehogs.

10 The project meets the Heritage Fund criteria. The landowner’s contribution is much greater than the amount stated in the application. Their outstanding pest animal control efforts merit full support, not least because they help protect Kaitawa Reserve; therefore it is recommended that funds are granted as requested.

118 Waterfall Road, Paraparaumu

11 For the last 13 years the owners of a 17.3ha bush remnant listed in the District Plan Heritage Register as K098 have devoted countless hours to its restoration. Known as ‘Waterfall Road Bush’ the remnant’s flora is unusually diverse, containing a wide range of species including northern rata, miro and maire taiki, a rare semi-parasitic tree with a conservation threat status of ‘at risk, declining’.

12 Four years ago the Department of Conservation funded the installation of an extensive pest animal control network targeting possums, stoats and rats. A 50m X 25m grid of more than 300 traps and bait stations, similar to grids used to create ‘mainland islands’ on the conservation estate, covers much of the site. Having undertaken baseline biodiversity surveys prior to installing the grid, the owners are monitoring changes to the forest ecosystem by collecting data on plant, insect, lizard and bird populations. Information is being shared with the Kāpiti Biodiversity Project, a confederation of three community restoration groups working in the south of the district.

13 Last year a successful workshop for Kāpiti landowners participating in the Key Native Ecosystem Programme, a Greater Wellington Regional Council biodiversity protection and restoration scheme supported by Kāpiti Coast District Council, was held at the property, covering all aspects of native forest restoration.

14 The application is for $4,777 out of a project cost of $10,000 to fund maintenance of the trap network and ongoing research into changes in the beetle population resulting from intensive predator control. It is hoped the results of this research will inspire other landowners and community groups by demonstrating the benefits to ecosystem health of intensive control.

15 As the application meets Heritage Fund criteria in the management and research categories it is recommended that funding is granted as requested.

219 State Highway One, Paekākāriki

16 Steam Inc., an incorporated society registered as a charity, has for decades rebuilt, maintained, displayed and run heritage railway equipment at a former New Zealand Government Railways depot in Paekākāriki. Steam locomotive rail tours run by Steam Inc. are a popular attraction, as are the historic buildings, carriages, locomotives and equipment maintained by the society’s volunteers.

17 Among the buildings at the old depot site is a wooden freight shed used by the U.S. Marines during World War II and listed in the District Plan Heritage Register. Maintenance on the shed, prescribed by a management plan commissioned by the society, is overdue.

18 Suitably qualified Steam Inc. volunteers are preparing to repair and paint the eastern side of the shed visible from State Highway One, restore sliding doors and install plywood security panels over the windows.

19 The society has applied for a grant of $1,833 out of a project cost of $21,000 to subsidise the cost of materials. As the application meets Heritage Fund criteria it is recommended that funds are granted as requested.

29 Health Camp Road, Ōtaki

20 A charitable trust formed to conserve an historic rotunda dormitory at the former Ōtaki Children’s Health Camp has applied for funding of advertising material to support its work.

21 Originally constructed during WW1 for soldiers convalescing at King George V Military Hospital in Rotorua, the rotunda was one of two moved to Ōtaki to be part of New Zealand’s first permanent children’s health camp, opened in 1932.

22 The rotundas were used as dormitories until 1963, when one was demolished and the other converted for recreational use. Following closure of the camp in 2018, the rotunda was mothballed and is in disrepair. The former camp is on land administered by the Department of Conservation. Though the building has protected status, the future of the former camp is uncertain.

23 The rotunda is registered as a Category One building on the Heritage New Zealand list, and is listed as Heritage Building B9 on the District Plan Heritage Register.

24 Alison Dangerfield, Area Manager of Heritage New Zealand, is quoted on the trust’s website (https://www.otakirotunda.org.nz/about) as follows: “The rotunda is now the last original structure of New Zealand’s first permanent children’s health camp. It is of outstanding national significance. (This building) has high technological interest as its design reflects the attitudes of the day towards the treatment of the sick. It is probably the last World War One hospital building of this design remaining in New Zealand.”

25 The Friends of the Ōtaki Rotunda Trust has applied for $1,232 out of a project cost of $2,464 to fund production of brochures, flyers and advertising to promote conservation of the rotunda. As the application meets the Heritage Fund criteria for a preservation project, it is recommended funds are granted as requested.

State Highway 1, Ōtaki

26 This is a heritage management project to restore Haruatai Forest, a regionally significant swamp forest remnant listed as Ecological Site K015 in the District Plan Heritage Register.

27 Haruatai forest covers 7ha, making it the second biggest swamp forest remnant in the district after Nga Manu-Jacks Bush. The remnant is a taonga of local iwi, and is included in Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Key Native Ecosystem programme, which funds protective management of the region’s top 64 biodiversity sites.

28 Though a corner of the forest extends into Haruatai Park most of the forest and surrounding farmland is in joint Maori ownership, administered by a trust. The farmland is leased to a farmer who has grazed cattle in unprotected parts of the remnant.

29 Since 2008 Council’s Biodiversity Programme Manager has collaborated with Greater Wellington Regional Council biodiversity staff to help the trust manage the forest by controlling pest plants and animals.

30 The forest is now used as an outdoor classroom by Te Wananga O Raukawa students. During the last three years 1,800 native trees were planted by students, trust representatives and Council staff as part of a biodiversity restoration programme.

31 The application is for $3,000 out of a project cost of $8,500 to continue the programme by planting more trees and controlling pest plants and animals. Greater Wellington Regional Council will contribute $5,000 from its Key Native Ecosystem programme.

32 Under Heritage Fund criteria the restoration of Haruatai Forest is a priority for funding because of its biodiversity and heritage values. Therefore it is recommended that funds are granted as requested.

1400 Ōtaki Gorge Road

33 This is a Natural Heritage Management Project to assist the control of pest animals and weeds on a 125ha bush block on the edge of Tararua Forest Park. The block is part of Ecological Site K017 and is almost entirely covered by native bush, including primary forest on steep faces that escaped logging.

34 As such it is a valuable part of an evolving ‘mountains to the sea’ ecological corridor that has the potential to link the wilderness of the Tararua Ranges to Kāpiti Island via the Ōtaki River. The block provides habitat for keystone species such as kereru, and has resident populations of many native forest bird species including tomtit, whitehead, rifleman and bellbird.

35 Pest animal control on this block complements intensive control on adjacent Department of Conservation land conducted as part of ‘Project Kākā’, an innovative ecological management initiative designed to improve biodiversity in selected areas of the Tararua Forest Park.

36 The applicants are dedicated conservationists who have already spent large sums protecting and restoring biodiversity on their land. They are seeking a contribution of $3,671 toward the $8,000 cost of extending and maintaining an existing 3km network of bait stations and traps to control possums, stoats and rats.

37 This project meets the Heritage Fund criteria for natural heritage management. Therefore it is recommended that funds are granted as requested.

647 Rahui Road, Te Horo

1 An escarpment runs above the end of Rahui Road that is partly clad in native bush, identified and protected in the District Plan Heritage Register as ecological site K025.

2 At 647 Rahui Road the bush covers the upper part of the escarpment, with the remainder of the steep slope in rough pasture. Six years ago the owners fenced and retired a small area below the bush. With Council advice they planted the retired area with local native trees, which grew quickly.

3 The success of this pilot project inspired the owners to fence, retire and plant a larger area of .24ha to buffer the ecological site and improve connectivity with an unprotected strip of native bush running along the toe of the escarpment beside Rahui Road. They have contacted the QEII National Trust with the intention of covenanting the ecological site and the retired areas to protect them in perpetuity.

4 The application is for funding to complete and maintain restoration planting undertaken during the last four years. Further planting is needed to fill gaps among the 2,000 native trees planted, and regular weed control is necessary. The planted area of pioneering species will buffer the existing bush, and eventually merge with it through natural succession of canopy species such as kohekohe.

5 This restoration project meets Heritage Fund criteria and should have significant biodiversity benefits. In addition to buffering the ecological site a large new area of bush habitat will be created and eventually protected by covenant.

38 The application is for $2,353 out of a project cost of $4,705. It is recommended that $2,353 is granted.

701 State Highway 1, RD 1, Ōtaki

39 This application is to subsidise pest plant control and restorative planting around the margins of a stream and a wetland connected to swamp forest at the property colloquially known as ‘Marycrest’, north of Te Horo.

40 The property was purchased four years ago by owners keen to reverse years of neglect and opposition to protective ecological management of a significant swamp forest remnant. They supported adding the swamp forest and an associated wetland to the Proposed District Plan Heritage Register as Ecological Site K235, and have sought restoration advice from Council biodiversity staff.

41 Among many positive first steps the new owners installed a network of stoat and rat traps to reduce predation of native bird species. They also fenced and retired 180m of stream running into the wetland. They now seek funding to subsidise weed control and propagation of native trees in their own shade houses. The trees will be planted to buffer the wetland and increase the area of habitat complementary to the remnant swamp forest.

42 Before European settlement tracts of ancient swamp forest were an outstanding ecological feature of the coastal plain, rich in biodiversity. Drainage and clearance reduced this forest type to a few scattered fragments, however, leaving Marycrest as a small but outstanding example, containing several of the district’s biggest kahikatea trees.

43 The application is for $5,000 out of a project cost of $10,356. As the application meets the Heritage Fund criteria for heritage management, and swamp forest remnants are a restoration priority, it is recommended that funds are granted as requested.

91 Te Waka Road, Te Horo

44 A Te Horo cottage that may be one of the oldest buildings in the Wellington region was listed in 2004 in the District Plan Heritage Register as B108, confirming its historical status.

45 Known as ‘The Kainga’, the cottage has links to the district’s early whaling history, and may date from the 1850’s, when land in Te Waka Road was recorded in Maori Land Court testimony as being cleared and cultivated by members of Ngāti Huia.

46 The whanau who own the cottage have a whakapapa showing The Kainga was occupied by eight successive generations until 1993, when they moved into a new house nearby.

47 In 2010 Kāpiti Coast District Council commissioned a Conservation Plan for The Kainga. The plan contains a history of The Kainga researched by Waikanae historian and author Chris Maclean, and a restoration plan by a heritage architect, Chris Cochran.

48 The application is for $5,000 out of a project cost of $65,197 for continuing conservation work recommended in the plan.

49 In 2009 The Kainga was re-piled, its floor levelled and iron roof repaired. In 2016 the trust applied successfully for a Heritage Fund grant to subsidise re-roofing, painting, asbestos removal and joinery and brickwork restoration.

50 The next stage entails renewal of plumbing and drainage, including water supply, gas hot water and new septic tank if required.

51 As this project will protect a unique feature of the district’s built heritage, it is recommended that funds are granted as requested.

234 Te Hapua Road, Te Horo

52 The previous owners of 234 Te Hapua Road spent more than a decade restoring the 4.1ha wetland on their property. When they decided to sell because of advancing age their priority was to find a buyer who would continue their restorative work.

53 The new owners are not only continuing restoration but also increasing the wetland’s size by retiring adjacent land from grazing and planting native wetland species. They are also planting dry dunes beside the wetland to provide complementary habitat for birds, lizards and insects.

54 Protected by a QE II Trust covenant, the wetland is part of the regionally significant Te Hapua complex, which is highly representative of a formerly extensive swamp and is considered one of the best and largest remaining examples on the Kāpiti Coast. The area provides habitat for endangered species such as spotless crake, Australasian bittern, dabchick, Ranunculus macropus, Carex dipsacea, Potentilla anserinioides and other plant species becoming uncommon in the Wellington Region including Gratiola sexdenta, kapungawha and Baumea articulata.

55 Listed in the District Plan Heritage Register as Ecological Site KO57, the Te Hapua wetlands are part of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Key Native Ecosystem programme. For the last 15 years biodiversity staff from both councils have collaborated in providing advice and support to Te Hapua landowners, resulting in steady progress in protective wetland management.

56 The application is for $2,000 out of a project cost of $4,000 to subsidise restoration planting to buffer the wetland. Wetlands are a priority for protection and restoration, as Kāpiti has lost more than 97% of its wetlands since 1840, and wetlands are second only to estuaries as biodiversity hotspots. The application meets the Heritage Fund criteria, therefore it is recommended that funds are granted as requested.

7 Morrison Road, Te Horo

57 The regionally significant Te Hapua wetland complex described in paragraph 54 above extends beyond Te Hapua Road to the north, where arms of the main wetland extend between high dune ridges.

58 Following contact with Council biodiversity staff, the owner of 7 Morrison Road has decided to restore native vegetation to the margins of one of these outlying wetlands, and to the adjacent high dune, formerly grazed by livestock. This will enhance the .5ha wetland and provide 1ha of complementary dune forest habitat for native fauna.

59 Invasive sycamore and willow trees need to be removed from the wetland margins to make room for local native tree species such as kahikatea and tī kōuka (cabbage tree).

60 The landowner has applied for $3,641 out of a project cost of $7,641 to subsidise the cost of tree removal and native plants to be planted this winter. As the application meets the Heritage Fund criteria, and wetlands are a restoration priority, it is recommended funds are granted as requested.

33 Te Rauparaha Street, Ōtaki

61 A Norfolk pine tree listed in the District Plan Heritage Register standing in the grounds of Rangīatea Church in Ōtaki is the subject of an application in the heritage management category.

62 The tree’s lower branches pose a threat to old headstones in the church’s ūrupa; one headstone has been damaged by a falling branch. The applicant seeks funding to engage an arborist to prune the tree.

63 In addition the applicant seeks a subsidy for installing a wireless security camera system to help protect the church and grounds from vandalism and burglary.

64 Rangīatea Church was rebuilt in 2002 after being burnt to the ground in an arson attack. Though no longer a listed historic building, the church retains significant historic and cultural value as a tāonga of local iwi, revered by the wider community. Open to the public between 9.30am and 1.30pm Monday to Friday, the church attracts a wide range of visitors, including many from outside the district.

65 Security remains a concern following three attempted burglaries of the adjacent administration building in 2019, and associated vandalism. A security review found that installation of a wireless security camera system with remote monitoring was the best option.

66 The application is for $4,662 out of a project cost of $9,323 for pruning the tree and installation of the security system. As these heritage management and protection activities meet the fund criteria it’s recommended that funds are granted as requested.

Financial considerations

67 If funding is approved as recommended, the 2019-20 Heritage Fund budget will be underspent by $282. There are no other financial considerations.

Tāngata whenua considerations

68 There are no tāngata whenua considerations.

Strategic considerations

69 Enhancing the natural environment is one of four key challenges contained in Council’s long term plan 2018-38. Grants from the Heritage fund contribute directly to meeting this challenge by improving biodiversity. They also align with the plan’s 3-year focus by incentivising the protection and enhancement of local native flora and fauna as expressions of our distinct district identity, and by supporting the protection and restoration of native vegetation as a positive response to climate change.

Significance and Engagement

Significance policy

70 This matter is not deemed significant under Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

Publicity

71 The opportunity exists for positive publicity associated with these projects. A press release will be prepared about the funding allocations.

Recommendations

72 That the Grants Allocation Committee approves funding to applicants from the Heritage Fund as set out in the following table:

Project	Total Project Cost	Requested Assistance	Recommended Assistance
95 Panorama Drive, Paraparaumu	$13,045	$1,445	$1,445
29 Health Camp Road, Ōtaki	$2,464	$1,232	$1,232
SH 1, Ōtaki	$8,500	$3,000	$3,000
1400 Ōtaki Gorge Road	$8,000	$3,671	$3,671
647 Rahui Road, Ōtaki	$4,705	$2,353	$2,353
701 SH 1 Ōtaki	$4,716	$2,358	$2,358
91 Te Waka Road, Paraparaumu	$65,197	$5,000	$5,000
234 Te Hapua Road, Te Horo	$4,000	$2,000	$2,000
118 Waterfall Road, Paraparaumu	$10,000	$4,777	$4,777
219 SH, Paekākāriki	$21,000	$1,833	$1,833
7 Morrison Road, Te Horo	$7,641	$3,641	$3,641
33 Te Rauparaha Street, Ōtaki	$9,323	$4,662	$4,662
Total	$158,591	$35,972	$35,972

Appendices

1. Heritage Fund Criteria ⇩

2. Property locations ⇩

3. Property pictures ⇩

Grants Allocation Committee (Heritage Fund) Meeting Agenda

20 February 2020

Heritage Fund

Fund Criteria and

Application Guidelines

Heritage Fund Criteria and Application Guidelines

Please read the fund criteria and guidelines BEFORE filling in your

application form.

Reading these will save you time!

Please note: These guidelines specify procedures and conditions

that are legally binding for successful applicants.

Aim of the Heritage Fund

“The Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Heritage Fund aims to assist and actively encourage landowners and members of the Kāpiti Coast community to manage, protect and enhance heritage features throughout the district including ecological, geological, historical and cultural sites.”

Funding Categories

Applications must fall into one of the following categories to be eligible for funding:

1. PRESERVATION

Heritage feature preservation – includes fencing and permanently protecting by covenant areas of native vegetation, heritage trees, wetlands or other heritage features.

2. RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT

i.e. retiring stream banks from farming; fencing and planting; pest animal and weed management.

3. MANAGEMENT

Heritage feature management – includes activities such as plant and pest management in protected native bush, heritage feature maintenance activities e.g. painting, restoration, pruning, planting, and reimbursement of resource consent fees for management projects.

4. RESEARCH/EDUCATION

For example historical research/ information gathering, education/promotion campaigns, signage, production of educational material like flyers, brochures or the running of presentations, seminars or workshops.

NB:

I. The Heritage Fund is contestable and each application will be assessed on its merits.

II. Funding is only available for projects taking place on land within the boundaries of the Kāpiti Coast District Council.

III. Registered sites/features (e.g. identified in the District Plan Heritage Register, Historic Places Trust Register, or similar) will have priority over non-registered sites/features.

1.
Preservation Projects

For a project to be eligible in this category it must meet all of the following criteria:

a) It is for an area of native vegetation, specific tree, a wetland or other natural area;

b) It shall not be planted with any exotic vegetation once protected;

c) Domestic stock must be excluded from the area to be protected;

d) It must have a protective covenant registered on the title of the land (or be entered into as part of the funding application);

e) It must meet the General Criteria listed in this document; and

f) It must have a heritage management plan.

Preservation is limited to those areas which require permanent retirement from forestry, farming or general land use.

A high priority for funds will be given to preservation of heritage features under this category.

2. Riparian Management Projects
(Stream Bank Retirement)

For a project to be eligible in this category it must meet the following criteria:

a) The area must be permanently retired from grazing;

b) Domestic stock must be excluded from the area;

c) It must be for a length of stream no less than 100m;

d) It must have a protective covenant registered on the title of the land (or be entered into as part of the funding application);

e) It must meet the General Criteria listed in this document; and

f) It must have a heritage management plan.

A high priority for funds will be given to projects under this category, especially in water catchment areas such as upstream of the water intake on the Waikanae River.

3.
Management Projects

For a project to be eligible in this category it must meet the following criteria:

a) Be a registered heritage feature (registered in the Kāpiti Coast District Plan Heritage Register, the New Zealand Archaeological Association Site Recording Scheme, or the Historic Places Trust Register); OR

Be any other heritage feature (including trees, buildings, wāhi tapu or wāhi taonga, heritage objects, or archaeological, historic or geological sites) BUT it must meet the General Criteria listed in this document; and

b) It must have a heritage management plan.

With respect to (a) above, the site does not have to be listed in the District Plan Heritage Register at the time the funding is applied for. It is sufficient to agree to registration in the District Plan’s Heritage Register.

Management under this category includes heritage features that cannot be easily modified through land use activities. For example, an eligible heritage feature could be an old steam boiler located in a paddock or it could be a historic building. There is no requirement to fence off or covenant heritage features under this category.

The funding for heritage features in this category may go towards maintenance of the feature. Any heritage feature recorded in the District Plan’s register will require a resource consent if they are to be modified, altered or destroyed in any way unless it is a minor work as defined in the District Plan or it is pruning in accordance with approved arborcultural practices.

4. Research/Education Projects

For a project to be eligible in this category it must meet the following criteria:

a) Involves a heritage feature listed in the District Plan Heritage Register; or

b) Involves any other heritage feature that meets the General Criteria listed in this document;

c) Will result in the protection and better management of a heritage feature that meets the criteria under (a) or (b) above; and

d) Will provide new information about the heritage feature and will assist in public interpretation and understanding of the feature.

General Criteria

NOTE: Funding is only available for projects taking place on land within the boundaries of the Kāpiti Coast District Council.

a) Ecological Sites

Representativeness*

- contains an ecosystem that is rare or under-represented in Kāpiti ecological districts*

Rarity

- contains threatened ecosystems *

- contains threatened species *

- contains species that are endemic to the ecological district*

Diversity

- diversity of ecosystems, species, vegetation *

Distinctiveness

- contains large/dense population of viable species *

- largely in its natural state or restorable *

- uninterrupted ecological sequence *

- contains significant land forms *

Continuity & Linkage within Landscape

- provides, or has potential to provide, corridor/buffer zone to an existing area *

Cultural Values

- traditionally important for Maori

- recreational values

- significant landscape value

- protection of soil values

- water catchment protection

- recreation or tourism importance

- aesthetic coherence

Ecological Restoration

- ability to be restored *

Landscape Integrity

- significance to the original character of the landscape

- isolated feature, does it stand out or blend in

- does it have a role in landscape protection

Sustainability

- size and shape of area

- activities occurring on the boundaries which may affect its sustainability

- adjoins another protected area

- links

- easily managed

b) Historical and Cultural Sites

General Values

- The extent to which the place/feature reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand history

- The association of the place/feature with events, persons or ideas of importance in New Zealand history

- the potential of the place/feature to provide knowledge of Kāpiti Coast District and New Zealand history

- the community association with, or public esteem for, the place/feature

- The potential of the place/feature for public education

- The potential for recreation and access

Tangata Whenua Values

- traditionally important to iwi

- urupa or marae

- wahi taonga or wahi tapu

- archaeological site

c) Individual Trees

- Trees which, in the opinion of Council, are significant and worthy of protection; or

- Trees which have been assessed using the RNZIH Standard Tree Evaluation Method (STEM) for New Zealand (or equivalent) as having a score of 140 or greater.

NB: Copies of the RNZIH Evaluation Method are available for perusal at the Council Civic Building, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu.

d) Geological and Soil Sites

- Listed in the New Zealand Inventory of Soil Sites of International, National and Regional Importance

- The extent to which the place reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand geology

- The representative quality and/or a quality or type or rarity that is important to the district

Heritage Management Plans

Heritage Management Plans are generally required for Heritage Fund applications under the categories of Preservation, Management or Riparian Management Projects. Exceptions may be made for applications relating to heritage features managed under the conditions of a QE II Trust covenant deed, or in accordance with a Greater Wellington Regional Council Key Native Ecosystem restoration plan. In these cases, applicants should reference the covenant deed or the Key Native Ecosystem plan in their applications, and include an assurance that the protective management practices specified in those documents are being undertaken and will be ongoing.

The landowner must comply with the heritage management plan once an

application has been approved for funding.

A Heritage Management Plan:

a. Is a document which sets out the approach to works and/or maintenance of the feature/site for future years;

b. May have conditions (as is appropriate) that the landowner will be required to meet such as fencing, weed and pest control, keeping stock/domestic animals out of the area and restoration;

c. Will help ensure that the site is managed in a manner that protects and enhances the heritage feature;

d. Does not have to be complex and typically involves the following:

· A line drawing of the property/farm on a A4 aerial photograph (photo can be obtained free of charge from the District Planning Department) showing the area of concern and the proposed management measures;

· A description of the current problem/threats to the area (e.g. cattle grazing undergrowth of remnant forest, plant pests or animal pests like possums, goats, stoats etc which need controlling/eradicating);

· The proposed annual work/maintenance programme to be carried out over the next 3 – 5 years.

The Council can provide free advice on preparing heritage management plans.

Timing of Applications

In each financial year, there will be one round of funding under the Heritage Fund. Advertisements will be placed in local newspapers advertising the annual funding round.

Applications will be considered by Council’s Grants Allocation Committee.

Financial Details

In the application form sufficient details are required to enable the proposed project to be fully costed.

· If you are registered for GST please do not include GST in your costs

· Please attach quotes and any other supporting documentation to your application.

The following costs are not eligible:

· Project costs incurred prior to the lodging of the application;

· Any costs involved in preparing the application; and

· Debt servicing.

The purchase of equipment is generally NOT eligible for funding unless it can be demonstrated that it is essential for the project (i.e. it cannot be leased, rented/hired etc) and is a reasonable cost. Each item of equipment will be evaluated on its individual merit to the project.

It is recognised that labour contributions (and associated tools and machinery) are an important component of many projects. However, this scheme is not a subsidised employment scheme. Labour contributions are eligible as a project cost but should ideally not form more than a third of the total project cost.

What Level of Grant Assistance Can I Get?

The maximum total grant allocated under the scheme is $5,000 (excluding GST). There is no minimum grant amount.

A maximum grant of $500 (excluding GST) applies to administration costs (includes photocopying, mailouts/postage etc) and the reimbursement of resource consent fees.

All grants are allocated on the basis of a cost sharing arrangement.

The maximum grant rate for all projects is a cost sharing of 50:50, i.e. the Council will only fund up to half of the project cost. The applicant must make a contribution to the costs.

Example: Project cost $2,000 at 50% (excl. GST):

Heritage Fund Grant $1,000

Individual share $1,000

The applicant’s share of the cost can be by way of in-kind contributions (e.g. labour), or cash.

GST will be paid in addition to the grant where:

· the applicant is GST registered;

· the project is part of the applicant’s taxable activity; and

· the GST number is supplied on the application form.

How Can the Council Staff Assist Me?

Applicants are encouraged to complete the application form themselves.

Anyone experiencing difficulty in filling in the form should contact the Council’s Programme Manager Biodiversity. The Programme Manager Biodiversity or delegated Council officer can help prepare your Heritage Management Plan. (NB: Staff assistance does not imply success or preferential treatment in the approval process).

Inspections of projects allocated funding will be undertaken by Council staff.

How Will the Council Select Successful Applications?

As the number of projects and their total value may exceed the amount of grant money made available by Council each year, funding will be prioritised.

Heritage Funding will be prioritised in the following order:

1. Preservation projects, where areas to be protected will be fully fenced off with no stock permitted and a covenant entered into;

2. Riparian management projects, where the stream banks will be fully fenced off with no stock permitted and a covenant entered into;

3. Management projects for heritage features, areas or items such as restoration work, identification and on-going works/maintenance;

4. Research projects, including education campaigns or historic investigations into heritage features.

NB:

1. Funding will only be allocated for projects taking place on land within the boundaries of the Kāpiti Coast District Council.

2. Registered sites/features (e.g. identified in the District Plan, Historic Places Trust Register, or similar) will have priority over non-registered sites/features.

3. Features may be protected by a section 221 consent notice (issued under the Resource Management Act)

4. Discussion and consultation will be undertaken with other agencies such as the Department of Conservation, Greater Wellington Regional Council and the QE II National Trust, as appropriate.

How Will Applications be Processed?

Applications should be addressed to Council’s Programme Manager Biodiversity. All

applications will be acknowledged within 10 working days of receipt.

Applications will be checked to ensure they have been completed correctly and sufficient detail has been provided. Where applications are considered incomplete or deficient, they will be returned to the applicant for further information or clarification.

Where an application is referred back to the applicant for further clarification or information, the applicant will be given a set period to respond.

At the close of the application period, applications will be sorted into two categories:

1. Applications that will be reported to the Grants Allocation Committee for full consideration; and

2. Applications that are considered to fall outside the criteria and/or contain insufficient information.

Meetings of the Grants Allocation Committee are advertised and any member of the public is welcome to attend.

The applicant will be notified in writing within 10 working days of the Grants Allocation Committee making a decision on their application. Where an application is approved, the applicant will be sent a letter of approval specifying the grant.

The following conditions apply to any grants made:

1. Any expenditure on a project prior to the application being lodged will not be accepted for funding.

2. All costs associated with the project are first paid by the applicant unless another arrangement is approved in writing by Council. Receipts should be forwarded to the Programme Manager Biodiversity for processing. The grant will only be paid for approved costs.

3. The applicant must notify the Programme Manager Biodiversity once the project has been completed.

4. Any grant approval is personal to the applicant and cannot be reassigned without written approval from Council.

5. Grants must be uplifted within the time specified in the approval.

6. Grants are made subject to the Grants and Allocation Committee being satisfied that the information given is true and correct and that there has been no omission of any relevant fact or any misrepresentation given. Council retains the right to refuse payments to approved applicants in cases where it determines that it has been misled by the applicant or if the applicant has been placed in receivership or declared bankrupt.

7. In all cases, the decision of the Grants Allocation Committee shall be final and there will be no rights of appeal or review.

8. The Kāpiti Coast District Council reserves the right to visit any project or use it for promotional purposes where grant assistance has been given. In all cases the applicant will be notified of a visit.

9. The Kāpiti Coast District Council reserves the right to suspend and to refuse further grant payments if in the opinion of the Grants Allocation Committee the grantee wilfully or through neglect causes the project to fail. The decision of the Council shall be final and there shall be no rights of appeal or review and no right to compensation or damages of any nature.

Once I have an approved grant, how do I claim it?

All accounts are first paid by the applicant, unless another arrangement is approved in writing by Council.

Receipts are sent to the Council officer administering the grant.

A maximum claim value of $5,000 applies (excluding administration/resource consent fee costs where a $500 maximum claim value applies)

Completed projects are inspected by a Council Officer.

Can I Change the Contract?

Once the cost of a project and the grant rate has been approved by the Grants Allocation Committee that amount may not be increased or any new categories of expenditure introduced.

Progress Reporting and Notification of Project Completion

All successful applicants will be required to report regularly on progress in completing the project, particularly the completion of significant milestones.

Successful applicants must notify the Council officer administering the grant once their project has been completed.

Council Staff Who Can Help

Community Services Group

Programme Manager Biodiversity – Rob Cross

Phone: (04) 9045 653

Email: rob.cross@kapiticoast.govt.nz


AGENDA Grants Allocation Committee (Heritage Fund) Meeting
I hereby give notice that a Meeting of the Grants Allocation Subcommittee (Heritage Fund) will be held on:
Date:	Thursday, 20 February 2020
Time:	1.30pm
Location:	Council Chamber Ground Floor, 175 Rimu Road Paraparaumu
Wayne Maxwell Chief Executive

Mayor K Gurunathan	Member
Deputy Mayor Janet Holborow	Member
Cr Bernie Randall	Deputy Chair
Cr Jackie Elliott	Chair
Cr Robert McCann	Member
Cr Martin Halliday	Member