Aviary to stay open as community-run facility
Published on 04 September 2024
At a full council meeting on Tuesday, 3 September, it was confirmed that Whanganui’s Rotokawau Virginia Lake aviary will remain open as a community-run facility.
During Whanganui’s recent long-term plan consultation, elected representatives voted to close the aviary.
The council was then approached by the Friends of the Aviary with a proposal to take over the facility as a self-funding community group.
Council chief executive, David Langford, said before agreeing to the proposal the council needed to be satisfied that the welfare of the birds would continue to be looked after under new management.
“In the last few months I’ve met with the Friends of the Aviary group several times to discuss their plan as it developed. I’m satisfied that the latest version of the plan will give the birds the appropriate level of care so the aviary can now transition to the group,” David Langford says.
Friends of the Aviary chairperson, Grant Rogerson, presented at the council meeting saying, “The encouragement and support received from the community was the catalyst for forming a trust to keep this historical asset open to everyone, residents and tourists, to enjoy this unique attraction to our city.”
Under the plan that the group has developed, consideration will be given to managing bird breeding, enrichment activities, feeding regimes, and animal health and record-keeping and the group will seek accreditation as soon as possible with either the Ministry for Primary Industries or the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia.
Grant Rogerson says, “We wish to acknowledge the amazing help and support we have received from the CEO and members of the council in our quest to develop an acceptable business plan to transition the aviary from council-owned to public ownership.”
The Friends of the Aviary have registered as a charitable trust and the council will sell the aviary structures to the trust for $1.00 and put in place a ‘peppercorn’ lease for the underlying land.
The trust will offer employment to current aviary staff, with volunteers filling the extra staffing requirements. Fundraising will be carried out to operate the aviary which the group has said they can manage at an estimated cost of $49,800 per year.
At the council meeting, elected representatives agreed to a request from the Friends of the Aviary for a one-off operating grant this year of $20,000.
Mayor Andrew Tripe says providing the grant means the group will have costs covered for part-time staff for the initial six months while they get going with fundraising plans.
Mayor Andrew says, “When the Friends of the Aviary came to us with a proposal to take over the operation of the aviary we were open to it as long as the welfare of the birds could be guaranteed and the cost to the ratepayer minimised. This new way of operating keep costs down for ratepayers while keeping the aviary open for those who enjoy it.
“I’d like to commend the Friends of the Aviary group for coming to us with a positive solution and taking leadership in this area they are passionate about. Community-led projects are the way of the future and this group has demonstrated that which I applaud.”