Councils to establish event fund
A proposed $100,000 fund for attracting international events to Manawatu will be propped up by ratepayers district-wide.
The Palmerston North City Council approved the additional programme, to be established this year in partnership with the Manawatu District Council, last week.
Calls for action came from the Manawatu Golf Club and Manfeild, which requested more support for bringing national and international events, such as the New Zealand Grand Prix and the New Zealand PGA championship, to the region. It’s something they said had fallen through the gaps with the establishment of the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA).
Event organisers will apply to CEDA, which governs the fund against a set of criteria. These have yet to be determined, but are assumed to be based on regional economic return.
Manfeild chief executive Julie Keane said an economic report in 2013 showed the Feilding venue’s benefit to the region was estimated to be $52 million.
The park attracted more than 80,000 visitors, with 59 per cent coming from outside the region, spending $29m, she said.
Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said the region was ‘‘majorly undone’’ and could do ‘‘a lot more’’ to bring people in. ‘‘These things are more than just an event, it’s our reputation. Palmerston North does not have a beach or a mountain or a harbour, so events are one way to make the place really cool.’’
Manawatu District Council chief executive Richard Templer said it was proposed the council would contribute one third of the cost and the city council two thirds.
Community and strategy general manager Brent Limmer said the district funded two major events under contract to CEDA – the Agriinvestment Business Week and Sort It expo.
He said there had been a ‘‘significant increase’’ in attracting events to both the district and Palmerston North compared with two years ago, but it was managed on an ‘‘ad-hoc’’ basis as each request came in. ‘‘There is a need for some structure and support,’’ he said.
Manawatu Golf Club general manager Warren Collett said financial assistance to host international events would benefit the region. The club hosted the NZPGA in March for the first time in 60 years, attracting competitors from around the globe. Part of the PGA Tour of Australasia, the tournament carried prizemoney of $125,000.
Manfeild’s request for council help has ruffled the feathers of ratepayers, with many likening it to a ‘‘bottomless pit’’ and criticising the district council’s continued support.
Feilding resident Beverly Waugh strongly opposed further cash injections. ‘‘I wonder about the real benefit to all Feilding ratepayers of this racetrack.
‘‘A lot of council dollars have been spent... Now I see the upgrading of the library, playgrounds and the Feilding to Palmerston North cycle track being put on hold – facilities that foster sustainable life-long learning and activity.’’