In total, $19.6 million has been allocated to 31 councils and community organisations, with the Waimakariri District Council and Christchurch City Council awarded $150,000 and $120,000 respectively.
For Waimakariri, it will allow the district to provide a toilet facility at Saltwater Creek, the only stop between Amberley and Rangiora on State Highway One, which is popular among tourists and locals for whitebait fishing.
Craig Sargison, Manager of Community and Recreation for the Waimakariri District Council, said the council had wanted to improve Saltwater Creek for some time and reduce pollution caused by people using the natural environs as a toilet.
In Akaroa’s case, an upgrade is well overdue as tourist numbers to the area continue to increase.
Bank Peninsula Community Board member Janis Haley said the current facilities were tired and the area was bursting at the seams to accommodate the people traffic.
Haley said Akaroa had 20 more cruise ships enter the town this year than ever before.