$50m in project funding sought
The Gore District Council has applied for Government funding for 10 shovel-ready projects, with a combined value of more than $50 million.
Crown Infrastructure Partners is developing shovelready infrastructure projects that can start as soon as the construction industry returns to normal, with the aim of boosting the economy as it enters a sharp downturn brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Gore District Council’s proposals include its mothballed Matai Ridge subdivision, and the Manaaki Eco-Village, which failed to receive funding from the Provincial Growth Fund.
Gore District Council chief executive Steve Parry said the council’s proposals fell into two categories – 3 Waters projects and building projects.
‘‘It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for councils to secure funding for some of those big ticket items, and if we can get some funding it’s a game changer,’’ Parry said. ‘‘I feel like a Contiki fisherman with 10 hooks baited up in the water, waiting for the Government shark to come and take a nibble.’’
Included on the list was a $23m water treatment upgrade for Gore, which included replacing the Hilbre Avenue reservoir and a pipeline between Gore and Mataura to ‘‘unify the two schemes’’, Parry said.
The water treatment and reservoir upgrades were already on the council’s work plan and the pipeline had been ‘‘talked about for a long time’’, he said.
Renewal of a 1.8km section of water main pipe in Wigan St, Gore was also already on the council’s agenda, and it had applied for $5m for the project. It had also applied for $3m for the Elizabeth Street storm water separation project, Parry said.
Work on the council’s Civic administration building had resumed under Alert Level 3 conditions, but because applications for projects that were already under way were eligible for funding, the council had applied for $6m for that project.
It had also applied for $5m for an upgraded library, after the council vacated its library building in May 2019 after black mould and asbestos were found. The library moved to the James
Cumming Wing, and at that time the council said it may operate out of that site for 18 months.
The Manaaki Eco Village project, which was proposed for the former Gore Hospital site, was back on the agenda and the council had applied for $10m in funding for it.
The project, which had also been linked with a proposed indoor equestrian centre, had been twice turned down for funding by the Provincial Growth Fund last year.
‘‘It’s a project that had a tourism focus. We know that the tourism industry has all but stopped at the moment but this project has a domestic tourism focus and has been designed around that.’’
The council’s mothballed Matai Ridge subdivision in East Gore is also on the list, with $1.5m of funding requested.
‘‘They asked for shovel-ready projects and that’s ready to go. They also said that projects that addressed residential housing may find favour.’’