For more on the backstory to Natureland's variable history, see the other threads: Natureland Zoo Forums Natureland zoo trust seeks $248,000 annual council funding (21 November 2017) Nelson's Natureland zoo is seeking nearly $250,000 of annual council funding, or the current management could walk away. The request reflects the amount Natureland Wildlife Trust was given last year. It wants the city council to commit to fund $248,000 annually for the next 10 years. A report to the sport and recreation committee said the trust board had informed Nelson City Council staff that should the funding not be granted, the board will resign and hand Natureland back to the council. In Natureland's 10-year plan, presented to the committee on Tuesday, it was stated $248,000 was for operating costs. "This is seen as essential to maintain our requirements to run a safe operation, have skilled staff that are trained as required for their job role and health and safety requirements, and to maintain the highest standards of positive animal welfare and visitor experience," the plan says. Trust director Meg Rutledge said while the indication about the board's potential resignation had been "strongly worded" by council staff, it reflected the requirements Natureland needed to operate. While they were prepared to negotiate with the council, they wanted to be clear the budget was "pretty lean, so any variations to that would come at a pretty major cost". She said previous management had operated on a smaller grant of $150,000 from the council, but hadn't paid for veterinary care, and relied on donated animal food. "Which sounds great in concept, but donated food is rotten food," Rutledge said. She said previous staff had been on the minimum wage, and Natureland was subject to new health and safety requirements and a new vision for the facility. "If you're going to make a decision to have animals in human care, we expect the very best of that care." The trust is also looking for $500,000 for capital expenditure, spread over five years, to make improvements to the facilities, including a new cafe, upgraded children's playground, and improvements to animal enclosures. Rutledge said the trust wanted to expand its work in biodiversity and conservation, an area in which they were already "punching above their weight", The sport and recreation committee voted unanimously to review Natureland against the council's objectives and expectations. Councillor Brian McGurk said he wanted to see how Natureland aligned with the council's other projects, including Nelson Nature and the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary. "I'd expect the same level of scrutiny that we would expect of those projects, and those particular organisations," McGurk said. Cr Mel Courtney was disappointed about the review, as he felt the 10-year plan and results-to-date provided enough information. "We're going to dampen their spirits by saying we need another review of this, that and the other thing." He said visitor numbers were up, as was engagement with schools, and the committee should "give them what they want for the next five years so they can build on what they've done already". Mayor Rachel Reese said she didn't think the review indicated a lack of support for the work the trust was doing and the zoo had an important role as a place for children to interact with animals. "This isn't an indication of a council that isn't supportive, it's an indication of a council that wants to get this right." The review will look at what level of financial support is appropriate, and how the Natureland Wildlife Trust's objectives align with the council's existing programmes. Natureland board member and city councillor Mike Rutledge took no part in the discussion or voting.
