Ecosanctuary’s defences may get assistance

Orokonui Ecosanctuary’s predator fence surrounds its perimeter to keep out the predators which threaten native birds and lizards. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY

The Otago Regional Council will tomorrow consider whether to include $100,000 in its annual plan for the infrastructure.

Councillors were told last month the ecosanctuary was facing a "crisis" and significant financial demands following its closure during Covid-19 restrictions.

Otago Natural History Trust chairman Colin Campbell-Hunt’s submission on the council’s 2020-21 annual plan said Orokonui’s perimeter fence, which kept predators out, was at high to medium risk of failure in the event of land movement or flooding.

An invasion of predators would be "catastrophic" to its native bird and lizard species and could cost the sanctuary hundreds of thousands of dollars, he said.

During the council’s finance committee meeting last week Cr Kate Wilson, seconded by Cr Hilary Calvert, moved a successful motion asking staff to look at ways to find $100,000 for the fence’s general upkeep.

In a report to an extraordinary meeting of the committee tomorrow, staff recommend the council sign off $100,000 from general reserves for the fence.

Staff would also discuss with Port Otago whether it could contribute, thereby reducing the amount needing to be taken from reserves, but noted the annual plan already included a $2.2million increase in dividends from the port, which was flagged as a significant risk to the council’s funding.

Cr Calvert said Orokonui aligned with the council's role of protecting the environment and she admired its self-funding approach.

She believed the project could be sponsored by Port Otago; although its focus was the harbour, it had the ability to "support projects a little further away."

Orokonui Ecosanctuary general manager Amanda Symon said she was "overjoyed" to hear the council was considering the funding.

"We are a charitable trust so any contribution is great ... we would be very grateful."

The sanctuary was also looking at other ways to fund the long-term work for the fence.

Tomorrow’s extraordinary meeting of the finance committee was called for councillors to consider staff advice requested at last week’s finance committee meeting, where submissions on the 2020-21 annual plan were discussed.

None of the matters up for discussion tomorrow should affect rates, as per the council’s policy of a 0% general rates increase.

A motion from Cr Michael Laws, seconded by Cr Gary Kelliher, to double the council’s contribution for the control of lagarosiphon to $50,000 in 2020-21 had already been actioned, resulting in a small effect on general rates, but staff were looking at reductions that could be made to offset that, the report noted.

At present the council is considering no increase in general rates, and a 1.6% increase in total rates. Final rates will be signed off on June 24.