Highlights
Milestones during 2011 – 2012
» In September 2011 the Authority called for funding
applications for its first-ever funding round. A total
of 126 applications were received requesting
more than $56 million.
» A partnership agreement between the Waikato
Regional Council and the Waikato River Authority
was signed in November 2011. This agreement
ensures a joint approach to protecting and
restoring the Waikato River.
» The Authority appointed its financial advisors during
this first full year of operation. Auckland based
financial advisors and investment firm Newton
Ross Ltd will provide advice around maximising the
return on funds held by the Authority but not yet
awarded to clean-up or restoration projects.
» The Authority’s first Annual General Meeting was
held on 23 December 2011 at the Novotel Tainui
in Hamilton.
» The inclusion of the Authority’s vision and strategy
in a number of planning documents throughout the
region was accomplished. Of particular significance
was the vision and strategy being incorporated
in the Proposed Regional Policy Statement for the
Waikato Region. The Authority also nominated an
independent commissioner to the hearings panel.
» Authority Board members and management were
able to attend a number of speaking engagements
to profile the role and work of the Authority
throughout the year.
» In February 2012 the Authority announced 26 projects
that were to receive funding of $50,000 or less as part
of the first funding round. The total funding for these
projects amounted to more than $800,000.
» Major projects to be funded by the Authority, those
over $50,000, were announced in April 2012.
There were 20 of these larger projects and the total
funding allocation for these was more than $4.8
million.
» In the inaugural funding round, the Board was
pleased to realise a funding leverage ratio of 0.73.
In other words every dollar awarded was matched
with co-funding to the value of $0.73.
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