Tourism Bay of Plenty big winner of community funding plans
14 May, 2021 11:00 PM
4 minutes to read
Bay of Plenty Regional Council chief executive Fiona McTavish. Photo / NZME
A council-controlled organisation that receives millions of dollars in local government funding has secured a large chunk of a community initiatives fund. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council met on Wednesday to discuss its Long-term Plan deliberations, which included the allocation of $200,000 through a Community Initiatives Fund. Another $200,000 was considered for enhanced community engagement and participation plus $500,000 to better support local volunteers.
Tourism Bay of Plenty Low Carbon Economy will receive $60,000 and Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital will receive $40,000 per annum from the Community Initiatives Fund. A total of 28 groups applied for funding.
Jo Raphael: Free school buses great news
13 May, 2021 09:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Free school buses will be a game-changer for some families, writes Jo Raphael. Photo / NZME
OPINION
I didn t take the bus to school. We always lived near enough to either bike or walk. If it rained, we got dropped off and picked up, otherwise, me and my brother usually had to make our own way to school.
This meant getting out of bed at a reasonable time, breakfast, dressed, bags packed and lunches made and out the door.
And more often than not this also usually involved a lot of gentle or not-so-gentle cajoling from our parents.