What the regions want from the new Government

Wednesday, 25 October 2017

Mt Taranaki attracts many visitors. Should the Government help improve car parking there?

The regions could be a big winner from NZ First's coalition negotiations with Labour as the new Government's purse is opened up to the tune of $1 billion a year.

The money could be used to help the tourism industry, create better roads and walkways or make things a little easier for exporters.

A new road is needed to replace the road through the Manawatū Gorge.

Perhaps government departments should move to the regions.

* Opinion: Coalition deal light on detail but blasts from Winston Peters' past

* Opinion: Will Labour-NZ First coalition bring a new era in regional development?

* The role of regions, and looking after them

* NZ First pitches to students and provinces**

We present a wish list for NZ First leader Winston Peters, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones, incoming Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and their Regional Development (Provincial Growth) Fund.

MARLBOROUGH

Port Marlborough chief executive Ian McNabb only wants a small piece of the $1b to 'achieve a whole lot' with a dry dock for large ships at Picton.

McNabb said all five Cook Strait ferries, and shipping in general, set sail for Sydney or Singapore for maintenance, requiring a dry hull. He said the shipping industry, and navy, would point out 'it's not a wish, it's a necessity'.

Marlborough mayor John Leggett put tourism infrastructure and rural broadband high on his list. Even basic facilities such as a simple toilet block cost money, through to big-ticket items like the existing cycle and walkways, all in need of upgrade and extension, and the planned multimillion-dollar Coastal Pacific Cycle Trail. The region needs Government help maintaining and developing its tourism industry.

Leggett said Marlborough's mobile and broadband services did not cut the mustard at present, and also needed more spending by the Government. Broadband was essential to the future of the region, with new technology waiting to be used on an expanded network.

TARANAKI

Mt Taranaki is a popular destination, but is there enough car parking for visitors?

The province is also ideal for lovely walks and some paths could do with more development.

Regional development in Taranaki will be guided by the Tapuae Roa - Make Way for Taranaki economic development strategy launched in September, New Plymouth District Council strategy manager Liam Hodgetts said.

The strategy listed six areas for regional development, including future foods and better connectivity.

The energy sector employed 1950 people and contributed $2.08b in gross domestic product to the region, while dairying employed more than 6000 people and contributed $933 million in GDP.

The message from the strategy is more investment on Mt Taranaki is required to improve the visitor experience. Improving road and car parking infrastructure and upgrading the North Egmont visitors centre are priorities.

The Taranaki Crossing 'Mounga to Surf' project, including a track from North Egmont to Pukeiti, and from Pukeiti to Oakura walkway/cycleway is also projected.

Connecting the Coastal Walkway to Waitara is a key project for New Plymouth District Council in the 10-year work programme.

MANAWATŪ

We expect quite a bit of money to be thrown at this anyway, but Manawatū may feel short-changed if the Government goes for one of the cheaper options to replace the road through the Manawatū Gorge.

Closed since slips came down in April, the troubled section of State Highway 3 needs to be succeeded by a genuine road of national significance.

The Palmerston North City Council has declared a preference for what is known as option 4 or the southern route, which would include the bonus of another bridge over the Manawatū River.

The alternatives to the gorge – the Saddle Rd and Pahiatua Track – are not the greatest roads and there will be increased stress on them until a new route gets built. Nearby Woodville could also do with a financial package to help the town get through the tough times.

Manawatū also wouldn't mind a sizeable central government contribution to its makeover of a museum that needs some love.

The bulk of the facilities at Te Manawa in Palmerston North are earthquake-prone and need to be strengthened to make them safe.

In August, the Te Manawatu Museums Trust launched a proposal to demolish and rebuild a new arts and culture centre for the city and region, capable of boosting visitor numbers from 200,000 to 500,000 a year.

'We need to seize the opportunity right now and we know that there is an appetite to have a contemporary and future-focused facility and to deliver outstanding, world-class exhibitions and programmes that reflect our people, our stories and our talent,' chief executive Andy Lowe said.

'It's an investment in a cultural powerhouse that will bring significant returns to the social and economic wellbeing of our region.'

NELSON

Nelson mayor Rachel Reese has said those who live in the sunny city of nearly 50,000 haven't just hit the jackpot, they've won Powerball.

But as with many regions, Nelson has its share of growing pains, particularly with regards to infrastructure, housing and job creation.

As the newly formed Government talks about moving some of its services to the regions, Nelson should be top of the list for the Department of Conservation.

With the Cawthron Institute's scientists working in environment and primary industries research, Nelson is home to ground-breaking science at the institute's laboratories and aquaculture park. Nelson would be well-placed to welcome the Ministry for Primary Industries, given the region's fisheries, forestry, horticulture and viticulture.

The future of roading infrastructure was a big election debate but what all parties agreed on was the need to develop a world-class waterfront.

In Nelson, locals swim off the rocks and steps along the aptly-named Rocks Rd, which snakes its way from Nelson's central business district to Tahunanui beach.

The road is host to Nelson's state highway and whether the highway is one day moved or not, the city needs to make the most of its waterfront with a well-designed walkway and cycleway that allows locals and tourists to have safe passage next to the harbour.

Add in some more cycleways within the city network and it's on track to function like the small European cities where cycling is a legitimate form of commuting for all ages.

Next on the wish list is an upgrade to the public transport network, which is average-to-poor at best. Trials for self-drive cars, ride sharing, and the introduction of e-bikes and electric cars would also all be welcome, alongside investment in charging stations.

Nelson needs higher-density and compact housing in and around the CBD, allowing city workers to walk to work, and creating a hub that allows people to make the most of Nelson's hospitality scene. But an easy first step on the journey to smart transport technology and increased access to Nelson's amenities? Uber, please.

SOUTHLAND

Southland's top three priorities are population growth, immigration and tourism.

Gaining 10,000 people between now and 2025 has become a major provincial goal for Southland. As things stand, the population is static and that makes it a declining proportion of New Zealand's. The plans to fix this are laid out in the new Southland Regional Development Strategy – the province speaking with a single voice, for a change. It's a recommended read for any minister wanting southern kudos.

Southland employers, especially in the dairy industry, need migrant workers. Other employers are gasping, too.

And Southland has been missing out through under-investment in tourism.

Southland mayoral forum chairman and Gore District mayor Tracy Hicks said the province was looking forward to working with the new Government and the recently formed provincial strategy laid out ways to meet the challenges of growing the population, diversifying the economy and strengthening local businesses.

'The only real challenge around migration is manifested in Auckland,' he said. 'The rest of New Zealand desperately needs migrants to make our economies function properly.'

Venture Southland chief executive Paul Casson said there was lack of investment in Southland tourism.

A ministry to put more of a magnifying glass on regional economic development was a 'fantastic' idea, he said.

TIMARU

South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce chief executive Wendy Smith said regional roading and tourism infrastructure were high on her wish list for regional funding.

'I would prioritise roading infrastructure, and in the Mackenzie District the wide range of infrastructure needed to support the exponential growth in tourists, including sewerage, roading, water services and waste.

'In addition, relocation of a government department or services to South Canterbury and, as with the proposed Dunedin IT Development, South Canterbury would be well positioned as a food production, processing and manufacturing hub.'