Hands-on workshop in Timaru inspires locals to restore wetlands, improve water quality, and strengthen South Canterbury’s environment and communities.
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Supporting local action
Last updated: 17 November 2025
Reporting frequency: Quarterly
Core service: Environmental Regulation and Protection
Everyone has a role to play in improving environmental outcomes, and supporting and empowering local communities to lead local projects is an investment that will make a significant contribution to achieving these outcomes.
We provide access to co-funding for projects that align with Council’s strategic priorities and we provide advice and other assistance.
This service includes contestable funding, and the subsidies we offer to help people transition to cleaner heating options.
It also supports the Soil Conservation and Regeneration programme, environmental infrastructure work programmes and the work to support implementing the Canterbury Water Management Strategy zone committee action plans.
Our youth engagement and education team works to build and strengthen the relationship between young people, our region, and the work we do and, with other providers, delivers the Enviroschools programme.
How are we tracking on our service measures?
Service measure 18: Percentage of applicants satisfied/very satisfied with Environment Canterbury’s contestable funding allocation processes
Target: 80%
How we are doing: It is planned that applicants to the Waitaha Action to Impact and Christchurch/Banks Peninsula Biodiversity contestable funds will be surveyed in quarter four
On track
More information
To assist local community-led projects, we provide various pathways for environmentally-focused community organisations and landholders to access support, including funding.
We recognise that it is often volunteers who are making applications and we want the process to be efficient, transparent and well aligned with Council’s strategic priorities.
Contestable funds include the Waitaha Action to Impact Fund and the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula Biodiversity Fund.
Recent highlights and updates
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The Te Waihora Group has won the Te Waka o Aoraki trophy at the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board awards for the Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai project.
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Longstanding advocate of freshwater and mahinga kai, Karl Russell was presented with a Canterbury Regional Council Outstanding Contribution Award
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Catch crop trials in Ahuriri unite farmers, scientists & council to reduce nitrogen loss, protect Lake Benmore and boost sustainable farming.
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Community and partnership drive Whakaraupō / Lyttelton Harbour’s restoration - learn more about their work, the plan, and key projects underway.
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Birds known for their mythical status are taking refuge at a newly restored wetland around Aotearoa’s largest lagoon.