Mayors asked to name top six projects

WEST Coast mayors were yesterday given one week to come up with half a dozen key projects for the $1 billion provincial growth fund.

They met Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones.

The Westport and Greymouth ports, salmon farming on the Arnold River, and rejuvenation of Greymouth — including a rail and transport hub at Victoria Park — were some ideas discussed.

The mayors were then given a week to come up with a top six.

Asked if a week was enough time, Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said ‘‘quite a lot’’ was done at a meeting at Shantytown last week when the various councils brought along their respective wish lists. The mayors would meet again next week, after which all the proposals would be released.

He told the minister that tourist numbers stepping off the TranzAlpine train were due to increase from 180,000 to 250,000.

‘‘I put to him that Greymouth needs a major rejuvenation master plan,’’ Mr Kokshoorn said.

Mr Jones, a former chairman of Sealord, told RNZ yesterday he particularly liked the proposed Westfleet Arnold Valley salmon farm proposal, which is undergoing trials on Trustpower land.

The salmon would be processed at Westfleet’s Greymouth fish factory.

West CoastTasman MP Damien O’Connor said the pressure was now on the West Coast to prioritise plans.

‘‘Those who bleat on about catastrophic change around mining are the ones who said we should ‘put the lights out’ after the timber decision. We have an amazing future with huge opportunities.’’

Westland Mayor Bruce Smith said the mayors had put up a united approach and ‘‘it went particularly well’’. Greymouth Star