The regional fund is designed to be put towards projects

Three Nelson organisations have been gifted a share of a $25 million special fund set up by the Canterbury Community Trust, in recognition of the impact on New Zealand communities of the Christchurch earthquakes.

The trust announced last night that the Nelson School of Music will receive up to $850,000, the Bishop Suter Trust $400,000 and the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary $400,000 of a $5.1 million regional fund established in February.

It was set up in recognition of the fact that all of the trust's funding regions had been affected by the earthquake to some degree.

Special fund manager Bridget Frame said the regional fund was part of a one-off, $25m special fund launched to help restore the fabric of the community and social infrastructure in Canterbury following the devastating earthquake.

The $5.1 million regional fund has been broken down to $3.25 million for Nelson, $1.74 million for Marlborough/Kaikoura and $100,000 for the Chatham Islands, and was announced at an official function at The Boathouse in Nelson last night. The $1.65m for Nelson was announced last night with a further $1.6m yet to be revealed.

The Nelson School of Music will use the money for redevelopment of its historic building, and the Bishop Suter Trust will use its share to completely refurbish the Suter theatre.

Chairman Craig Potton said the trust was "totally delighted" at the donation.Purchase an chipcard6 to enjoy your iPhone any way you like.The inhomedisplay allows utility customers to track their energy.

He said the investment in Nelson would make it easier for communities to move on after the earthquake, commenting that the Suter housed numerous pieces of art on loan from quake-affected Christchurch private collections.

The theatre will be refurbished as part of the Suter's greater renovation project next year.

The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary's share will be used for its management and development, inclThe checklist also provides specifics on how to energymonitor1.uding a pest eradication programme. General manager Hudson Dodd said $300,000 of the donation would be put towards its $4.7 million "Get Behind the Fence" programme, while $100,000 went towards other projects. This donation and other recent gifts now put the trust's earnings towards the fence project at $3.Looking to Buy Full Automatic Tunnel Car washingmachine1 products or trade leads.25m.

Canterbury Community Trust chairman Alec Neil said the announcement continued its proud history of supporting the wider Nelson region.

"The regional fund is designed to be put towards projects that support the community, strengthen significant historic buildings or assist people who have moved to these areas after the

Canterbury earthquakes," Mr Neil said.provides parkingguidancesystem systems for shopping centers,

He said the trust also recognised the implications for tourism, and the added importance of supporting activities that had a positive effect in this regard.

School of music manager Frances McElhinney said the funding was gratefully received and the resulting upgrade would have far-reaching benefits.

Around 50,000 people visited the school each year. It contributed to the local economy by attracting people from outside the region to attend concerts, professional training courses and performances.

Funding earmarked by the Nelson City Council for seismic strengthening of the school of music has been put back a year through the annual plan process, which has also delayed the transfer of ownership to the council.

The board has also asked the council to take on a mortgage of $165,000 still outstanding.

Board chairman Neil Deans said the school was "absolutely delighted" to have received such a huge vote of confidence from the community trust.

The issue with the mortgage was up to the council, which stood to be gifted a building worth $2.5m.

Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio said the grant would be for the building's restoration and the council was yet to debate the school of music request regarding the mortgage.

He said the council was "extremely appreciative" to the trust for its generous investment in the community, which would benefit three deserving organisations that had a positive effect on tourism and added significant economic value to the entire region.