$250k Wairoa windfall
Unlocking Wairoa’s potential has just received a massive funding boost of $250,000.
The funding is part of the Labour Coalition Government’s regionalisation drive with the latest money tagged to develop Wairoa’s Provincial Growth Fund business case applications.
The council has been working with central government and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for months in a bid to grow identified projects.
The latest funding boost of $250,000 will enable the council to appoint a local project manager so potential options can be explored, and business cases developed ensuring they meet the performance measures.
Wairoa District Council chief executive Steven May said the potential of Wairoa and its projects have obviously been recognised.
“We have been working behind the scenes to develop projects and business cases and now with this capability support funding we can investigate options and grow possibilities without it impacting on our ratepayers.
“This funding will allow the council to develop opportunities with the district only limited by its own potential.”
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said Wairoa had received tremendous support from Regional Economic De- velopment Minister Shane Jones and Associate Minister of Primary Industries Meka Whaitiri — “both of whom obviously believe in Wairoa’s potential”.
“The Provincial Growth Fund is a great initiative, but it was difficult for a small council to produce the necessary information and meet the requirements and application criteria necessary to present business cases for consideration.
“This funding will allow us to use experts to put the information together and conduct feasibility studies and gives us the capability to produce business cases which can then be presented to the government in the hope of attracting even more investment.
“We are thrilled to have been given this funding as it shows we are on the right track and central government is backing the direction we want to head in.
“This will put us miles ahead of the game and we are very appreciative of the support we have received.”
Little commended council staff saying it was their top-quality work that ensured the council was able to secure this vital funding.
Chairperson of council’s economic development committee Denise Eaglesome-Karekare said it was fantastic that Government, especially ministers Jones and Whaitiri had recognised that the $250,000 capability funding was necessary to help build the case for the regional economic development funding.
“Wairoa has so much untapped potential, tourism, trade training, honey, Rocket Lab, this list goes on and these are some of the conversations we are having in our economic development committee as well as council. The future is exciting, and we need the community to come with us”.
Projects that create a community legacy will underpin Wairoa’s Regional Provincial Funding application with council’s aim to enhance the district and create sustainability.
Business cases that have already been identified include the sealing of SH38 and improvements on SH2, both in conjunction with the NZ Transport Agency, development of a railhead in conjunction with KiwiRail, economic potential of unproductive land, bridge strengthening, rural roads, and business support services within Wairoa.
May said receiving this funding was about central government validating the council’s vision of creating a world-class Wairoa.
“While some projects have already been identified this funding is not restrictive and will allow us to develop other opportunities and investigate existing and new ideas.
“This is a fantastic first step and recognises a lot of hard work from council staff who have worked closely with MBIE officials to highlight the opportunities that exist.”
The initiative engages young people with employers with the overall result to upskill young people and get them into paid employment.
The Government’s regional cash injection was announced in February with $9.2 million included to boost Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay tourism and forestry opportunities and $2.3 million to develop the Gisborne inner harbour.
Investments related to the fund have included $5 million to reinstate the Wairoa-Napier rail line, Lake Whakaki restoration plans benefiting with a funding investment of $100,000 in manuka plantings to help filter water on the 80ha of land at Whakaki and $150,000 awarded to the Wairoa Community Partnerships Group to launch its Jobshop initiative which aims to energise young people into employment.