Who is LINZ?Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is a government agency with responsibility for managing around 2 million hectares of Crown land across New Zealand including many of our treasured lakes and rivers and the South Island high country. The Lake Dunstan lakebed, Clutha and Kawarau riverbeds and shorelines are managed by LINZ.
LINZ runs a biosecurity programme to manage pests and weeds on lands and waterways it’s responsible for. This programme recently expanded through budget increases and funding through the Government’s $1.245 billion Jobs for Nature Covid-19 recovery package. LINZ is working with iwi and community partners like LDCT on several Jobs for Nature-funded projects. |
What is the funding?
In March 2021, LDCT received $1,095,950 (inc.GST) in funding from LINZ allocated through the government’s ‘Jobs for Nature’ programme. Paid over four years, the funding was set up following the Covid-19 pandemic to aid in economic recovery and improve the natural environment.
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What are we going to do?
The funding will allow us to undertake landscape restoration, community outreach, and develop a community vision profile for Lake Dunstan. We aim to improve wildlife and recreation whilst also focusing on the social and emotional needs and concerns of the Community.
Restoration projects will allow us to create a lake and shoreline Cromwell can be proud of. The Funding will be used for much-needed pest removal, native plant reintroduction and improvements to recreation areas. With the help of local groups, schools and volunteers, we can create a shared space that can educate and improve the lives of all who visit. The ‘Bridge to Bridge’ restoration project will be the first of many improvements LDCT plans to undertake around the lake.
We want current and future restoration projects to reflect what the community needs and for those responsible for land and resources to be aware of the community’s review of their performance. Using part of the funding for surveys and creating a community vision will allow for confidential and regular data collection from the local community in a way that is accessible to all. The community’s opinions, concerns and desires for the area will help us create a shared vision of Lake Dunstan.
Restoration projects will allow us to create a lake and shoreline Cromwell can be proud of. The Funding will be used for much-needed pest removal, native plant reintroduction and improvements to recreation areas. With the help of local groups, schools and volunteers, we can create a shared space that can educate and improve the lives of all who visit. The ‘Bridge to Bridge’ restoration project will be the first of many improvements LDCT plans to undertake around the lake.
We want current and future restoration projects to reflect what the community needs and for those responsible for land and resources to be aware of the community’s review of their performance. Using part of the funding for surveys and creating a community vision will allow for confidential and regular data collection from the local community in a way that is accessible to all. The community’s opinions, concerns and desires for the area will help us create a shared vision of Lake Dunstan.
Creating a community vision
Part of our four-year project is creating a biannual community survey to monitor feedback on changes made around Lake Dunstan over the next four years and to help create a community vision for Cromwell. Discovering what the community is concerned about, what they would like to see done/changed and how recent improvements have affected them will allow us to formulate future plans led by community feedback.
We want to ensure that future projects support the communities’ needs and positively impact recreation and well-being. These surveys will also be used to show local agencies, stakeholders and landowners their impact on the community’s physical and mental well-being. |
Bridge to Bridge restoration project
Location: Lowburn Bridge to Deadman bridge
Distance: 4.8km $500,000 of the LINZ Funding will be invested in our ‘Bridge to Bridge’ restoration project. This project is focused on restoring native species and improving recreational activities/use from Lowburn Bridge to Deadman’s bridge. This project that will take many years to complete with most of the work occurring in the first year. In the following years will continue to improve the area with further planting and maintenance. |