Hamilton gets $150m grant from Beehive
A $150.6 million fillip for infrastructure development in inner city Hamilton has been confirmed by the Government.
It includes funding for a new pedestrian and cycling bridge across the Waikato River, a major reservoir, and transport and water services infrastructure.
Various initiatives will help support the establishment of 4000 new homes in ‘‘fast-growing’’ Hamilton up to 2034, with the first of these expected to be ready by the end of next year.
The $150.6m sum is the biggest single slice of just under $540m in grants nationally announced by Housing Minister Megan Woods in Hamilton yesterday.
Woods revealed during her speech that the new pedestrian and cycling bridge will stretch from the museum across to Memorial Park.
Details of exactly where it will sit are yet to be finalised.
Asked whether the grant would help end perceptions that Hamilton was a ‘‘poor relation’’ in Wellington’s eyes, Woods insisted Hamilton had long been on the capital’s radar.
‘‘We know that it is one of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand and the housing crisis exists here.’’
Mayor Paula Southgate insisted she was happy with the city’s relationship with central Government.
‘‘We’ve worked very hard on this during the past 18 months.’’
Woods strenuously denied the announcement represented a ‘‘bribe’’ to Hamilton West voters in the upcoming by-election.
‘‘Decisions were made about this funding going to Hamilton long before a by-election had even been called or there was a need for a by-election.’’
She also said the decision was made by an independent process involving the Kā inga Ora board, although she acknowledged ministers had final sign-off.
‘‘Hamilton is getting this funding today because it is sorely needed.’’
The application – involving the city council, Tainui Group Holdings and developers – was developed last year, she said.
Woods said spending on infrastructure was not ‘‘glitzy’’.
‘‘Much of it will never be seen by people.’’ But it was needed to help solve the country’s housing crisis.
The total monies announced were the first time in decades that the Government had invested directly in funding for housingrelated infrastructure.
Southgate called the investment ‘‘a game-changing announcement for Hamilton’’, saying it was the biggest in the city’s history. The money is due to be matched by nearly $130m from the council and about $100m from developers.
‘‘I have no doubt this grant will speed up delivery of homes in the CBD. I’m excited that people who need homes will see light at the end of the tunnel.’’
Woods expected the funding would, over time, help reduce demand in Hamilton for emergency housing in the likes of motels.
On whether any funding was conditional on a housing development going ahead at Sonning carpark, Southgate said it wasn’t at this point, but noted this was ‘‘one site of interest’’.
Funding was also announced for Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch, Kawakawa, Kaikohe, Westport, Upper Hutt, Waipukurau, Hokitika and Pahiatua, but no other Waikato region areas – including Waipā and Waikato districts, which face intensification pressures.
Woods said the Government was taking a national approach and would continue to work with other areas on possible grants and funding generally.
‘‘Hamilton is getting this funding today because it is sorely needed.’’
Housing Minister Megan Woods