Small projects could save Waikato jobs
Kick-starting hundreds of ‘‘ready right now’’ projects could reignite Waikato’s economy — and save jobs.
Te Waka, the region’s economic development agency, is calling on councils, government agencies and business leaders to help draw up a list of smallsized projects that could be started within months.
Waikato has pitched 23 shovel-ready projects to the Government for funding in a bid to kick-start the regional economy following the coronavirus lockdown.
Te Waka chair Hamish Bell said the shovel-ready ‘‘mega projects’’ will play a crucial role in the country’s economic recovery but more immediate projects are needed.
‘‘I’m not wanting in any way to be negative around the shovel-ready large infrastructure projects,’’ Bell said.
‘‘But we can’t afford to wait for those large longer-term projects.’’
Te Waka this week spoke with contractors and construction firms that indicate there are hundreds of smaller ‘‘ready right now’’ projects across Waikato that could be unlocked within a short timeframe.
These projects range in cost from $50,000-$500,000.
Over the next 10 days, Te Waka will contact the region’s councils, business leaders, and government agencies, such as the ministries of health and education, to identify projects.
‘‘I’m less interested in a big talkfest and more interested in direct engagement,’’ Bell said.
‘‘We don’t want to have a big, long process and some database. It’s about can we quickly identify some key projects and get these moving?
‘‘The message we’re getting from contractors is if they know work is coming in two, three months, they can plan for it and work towards it. Could we within eight weeks be seeing projects unlocked and moving towards dirt? Hopefully we can see progress towards that.’’
Waikato’s suite of shovel-ready projects is valued at $2.8 billion.
Economic development Minister Phil Twyford, speaking in April, urged Waikato leaders to temper their expectations around the Government’s funding of shovel-ready projects.
The Government’s desire is to spread the funding evenly around the country.
Bell said it’s natural for people to fixate on the major national projects but in the meantime real closer-to-home solutions are needed.
‘‘If we can’t see some of these smaller projects that get smaller contractors and other builders going, potentially ...we see jobs going.’’