The value of the ?p?tiki Harbour Transformation project has again been acknowledged with approval of a $92,000 Bay Trust grant confirmed this week.

The grant has been awarded in support of a five-year memorandum of understanding that was developed between ?p?tiki District Council and BayTrust in 2010.

The two organisations have been working together with the shared objectives of promoting sustainable community development in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, supporting community capability in ?p?tiki and demonstrating collaborative approaches to planning and funding in the Bay of Plenty.

?p?tiki District Council Chief Executive, Aileen Lawrie is thrilled to see the ongoing support of the BayTrust in the Harbour Transformation Project. "We’ve recognised that the harbour project is not possible without outside support, such as it has received from BayTrust and others with aligned social and economic objectives. Having the confirmation of funding in year three further affirms BayTrust’s commitment to the project.

"This year’s BayTrust grant will go towards the costs of planning for pre-construction work, flood modelling, an ongoing communication campaign, and further support for project management and stakeholder management," Ms Lawrie says.

BayTrust Community Development Advisor, Terri Eggleton says the decision to provide further funding to the harbour project was made easier through its alignment with the Trust’s vision of strong, healthy, vibrant communities.

"We’ve learned that developing communities is about enabling and empowering the people and groups to carry out their own initiatives. The ?p?tiki Harbour Development will enable the Bay’s potential aquaculture industry, and will bring stepped change to the economy, the prospects for employment, and the social fabric of ?p?tiki," Ms Eggleton says.

The BayTrust’s grant of $92,000 will go towards a set of activities estimated to cost $200,000 for year three, with the remaining funding made up from Bay of Plenty Regional Council and ?p?tiki District Council contributions.