Cash boost for waterfront
Plans to revitalise Dunedin’s ‘‘neglected’’ waterfront have been given a major boost.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones committed $820,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund to complete a business case of the city’s waterfront project while in Dunedin yesterday afternoon.
‘‘You can’t deny that in its full form this is going to be iconic and transformational,’’ he said of the plan to revitalise the area.
The area had been ‘‘neglected for far too long’’, and he did not rule out further Government funding.
Jones, who was joined by fellow Cabinet Ministers Clare Curran, David Parker and David Clark said his colleagues wanted to see ‘‘action and pace’’ on the plans.
He signed a memorandum of understanding with the project’s partners, including the Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council, Port Otago, University of Otago, Nga¯i Tahu, architect Damien van Brandenburg, and Ian Taylor, of Animation Research Ltd.
He also announced $60,000 for the development of an economic development strategy for Otago. Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull told
another funding application would be made before Christmas, with other applications likely including a city engineering hub proposal.
Last year the city unveiled spectacular designs for a newlook waterfront.
That included a shell-shaped hotel and conference centre reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House, a marine education centre shaped like a whale’s tail, a redesigned steamer basin and new trees.
The plan, driven by van Brandenburg and Taylor, is part of a 25-year vision for the southern city.
In December, the Dunedin City Council voted to pursue a $20 million option, with funders to include the NZ Transport Agency and potentially the provincial growth fund.
Private plans for a five-star hotel development on the city’s waterfront failed to gain approval, including a $100m plan for a 27-storey hotel with apartments in 2013.