Meridian's Manapouri Power Up Fund has awarded $70,100 to Fiordland-based community groups in its latest funding round.

Trapping networks, a new school barbecue, and building a new mountain biking park are all community efforts that have recently been supported by the fund. 

As reported by Advocate South reported in May, Te Anau Cycling Inc (TACI) has been granted $50,000 from the fund to help build a 25km network of mountain biking trails through the Henry Creek section of the Snowdon Forest, outside the Te Anau township.

The volunteer organisation is working with internationally renowned New Zealander Tom Hey of Elevate Trail Building to develop purpose-built grade three to five mountain bike tracks. 

The network will connect to the lakeside trails and be available for multiple user-groups including walkers, runners and athletics clubs. The trails will also provide a foundation for enhanced environmental management through predator control for the protection of native and threatened species.

Thanks to the funding, the trails are on track for building to begin later this year. 

This week Meridian announced the full list of groups receiving grants in the latest round from its Manapouri fund. 

They include the Pomona Island Charitable Trust for installation of a network of self-resetting predator traps ($13,200), the Te Anau Community Events Charitable Trust ($1000), four bikes for Fiordland College's Pedal on Project ($4000), and the Te Anau Primary School PTA to purchase a fundraising barbecue ($1900). 

Applications are now open for the October 2019 Manapouri Power Up funding round. For more information and to apply, visit meridianenergy.co.nz/powerup