Stadium a shovel ready proposal
New Plymouth’s controversial Yarrow Stadium has been put to the Government to consider as a shovel-ready project.
Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) had planned to pay off the $50 million stadium repair and refurbishment with rates, causing much debate in the community. TRC is also putting together a joint bid with the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) for the Kaitake Trail, worth $13.6m.
‘‘Any funding from the Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP) will speed the commencement of these projects,’’ TRC corporate services director Mike Nield said in a statement.
The Government is looking for projects to support which are ‘‘shovel-ready’’, or likely to be within six months. Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones said in March up to $800 million would be diverted from the Provincial Growth Fund to support infrastructure projects around the country.
As a region, Taranaki has put forward proposals totalling more than $850m, Venture Taranaki chief executive Justine Gilliland said in a statement.
As well as council projects, there are marae/ hapu¯ projects, Witt campus improvements, and private sector initiatives particularly in the energy sector.
NPDC has put forward $496m worth of projects. These include $321m to upgrade water infrastructure, $108m on improving roads and bridges, $15.3m for infrastructure improvements at New Plymouth Airport, $13.6m to continue work on the Taranaki Traverse walk and $37m on an ecofriendly, hydrogen-powered thermal dryer at the wastewater treatment plant.
From Stratford, $39m worth of projects has been submitted. This includes $15.6m to replace their indoor swimming facility, $11m for a bridge on Brecon Rd, $3.2m on a new drinking water reservoir, $3.3m towards a secondary trunk water main and improvements to the existing one for town water supply, $1.8m towards Victoria Park including a children’s bike park and half basketball court, and $3.8m on a number of road safety, strengthening and improvement works.
South Taranaki District Council submitted
$57.5m of work.
This includes $14m on the Waimate West water mains replacement and $7m for a new reservior at the site, $6m on Nukumaru Station Rd, $11.5m on Te Ramanui o Ruapu¯ tahanga, $4m on desludging the Ha¯ wera Wastewater Treatment Plan anaerobic lagoon, and $15m on new infrastructure for the Ha¯ wera Business Park.