Tourism Infrastructure Fund to benefit Tasman tourists and environment

The impact of tourism on Tasman’s infrastructure has been recognised within the recent grants distributed by the Minister of Tourism Kelvin Davis from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF).

Tasman has always been one of the country’s popular destinations and our forecast is that it is only going to get busier, said Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne. “The increase in national and international visitor numbers, whether it be guided tour, self-drive or freedom camping, has been evident for some time. Growing visitor numbers, has an impact on our ability to service the required infrastructure to support those visitors”.

“The announcement is timely as we have just released our Freedom Camping Bylaw. The Bylaw was amended in response to the ever-increasing number of visitors to our region.

“Without this infrastructure the weight of numbers and expectation is being keenly felt by the environment and the local population. With the funding in place we will be able to support the growing numbers while supporting the environment people came to experience in the first place.”

The total cost of the projects identified is $749,170 with the TIF providing $335,000. The Council’s share is more than half as we are required to fund related resource and building consent costs.

The projects approved for support were prioritised to improve the visitor and camping experience in high use areas.

Waitapu Bridge – one solar powered rubbish compactor and one toilet
Marahau – two solar powered rubbish compactors and two toilets
Alexander Bluff – one solar powered rubbish compactor and one toilet
St Arnaud – one solar powered rubbish compactor and one toilet
Takaka i-SITE – new shower block with wash sink
Kina Reserve – two new toilet blocks,
Rough Island – one toilet
Motueka – new caravan dump station near the aerodrome

“It is expected, now that funding has been approved, the projects listed above will be completed within the next calendar year”, concluded Mr Kempthorne.

We were unsuccessful in our bid to obtain funding for the proposed feasibility study for the Marahau area, however we will be reapplying for the next funding round early in 2018.

ENDS

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