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An anonymous contributor has given a massive $50,000 donation to help fund anti-landfill campaigners to fight Waste Management’s plans to develop a new regional tip in the Dome Valley.
Fight the Tip Tiaki Te Whenua executive Michelle Carmichael said the “incredibly generous” gift was made because the donor wanted to make sure that the group’s legal costs were covered for their appeal to the Environment Court.
“What an amazing thing to do to help our cause, which they are completely supportive of,” she said. “Their intention is to ensure our base legal costs are covered when combined with a Ministry for the Environment grant that we are applying for, which is to a maximum of $50,000.”
She said legal costs were expected to be around $100,000, plus the group may need to hire technical experts for the case as well.
“We have some experts who have volunteered, but the money will help us hire any expert witnesses we are missing, or in specific technical areas we need to cover,” she said.
“That’s why every bit will help and, of course, we won’t know until later how much of the maximum $50,000 grant we will get.”
Ms Carmichael said the group had received support from many other people, too, with more than $15,000 donated to Fight the Tip’s Givealittle page, as well as $1300 from a recent movie night in Mangawhai and $500 from BYO Bags in Dargaville.
“We want to thank every single person who has donated so far,” she said. “Every donation strengthens our ability to engage the experts we need in our legal battle. The more we have, the stronger we can be.”
Donations can be made at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/fightthetip or direct into Fight the Tip Tiaki Te Whenua Inc’s bank, account number – 12 3094 0274048 00
