Town revitalisation and aquaculture investments create jobs
Rt Hon Winston Peters
Deputy
Prime Minister
Town revitalisation and aquaculture investments create jobs in Ōpōtiki
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has today announced that a $26 million investment in Ōpōtiki will see important public amenities upgraded and further progress made on new aquaculture opportunities.
“The people of Ōpōtiki have been waiting decades for real investment in key infrastructure, and support for the incredible aquaculture opportunities that the wider region can provide,” Mr Peters said.
“Unlocking the long neglected potential of the provinces and creating hundreds of new jobs in places such as Ōpōtiki, is absolutely essential to our country’s recovery from the economic devastation of COVID-19.”
“A total of 245 jobs will be created through the construction and operation of overdue aquaculture infrastructure in Ōpōtiki, and a further 202 jobs for locals as a result of club renovations and CBD improvements,” Mr Peters said.
The projects announced today are mixture of Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) and Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) shovel ready projects as follows:
Ōpōtiki
CBD Improvement project - $11.9 million
This
Ōpōtiki District Council project will include
redevelopment of the local Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi library and
a digital hub, refurbishment of council-owned properties,
updated town signage, green space redevelopments, skatepark
upgrades, improvements to signage and access to cycle and
heritage trails, and pavement and verandah replacements.
Ōpōtiki Clubs Building Upgrade project -
$169,686
This Ōpōtiki District Council project
will see renovations made to the local golf club and rugby
club. Funding will go towards refurbishments such as
repositioning walls, replacing toilet and shower facilities,
adding storage and upgrading kitchens.
Ōpōtiki Marina and Industrial Park - $8.8
million
This is project will provide
infrastructure for the Ōpōtiki Harbour Development
including a 1.3 hectare basin, a wharf on the west bank of
the Waioeka River, an access road and other infrastructure
required for safe mooring of the dredge and support vessels
involved in the harbour development project.
Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board - $5
million
Funding will be used to invest in
Whakatōhea Mussels Ōpōtiki Limited’s (WMOL) mussel farm
expansion and a new mussel processing facility. This funding
will accelerate work and enable WMOL to upscale its
operations and increase employment.
Mahi Ora
Ōpōtiki programme - $100,000
Funding will help
connect employers with potential employees to meet the
significant work demands of development in the Eastern Bay
of Plenty – including the Government-funded Ōpōtiki
Harbour redevelopment and WOML expansion. It will support
development and implementation of a local workforce
development strategy, providing an education to employment
pipeline.
“These investments will enable the people of Ōpōtiki to make significant progress towards their aspirations and will support thriving communities for years to come,” Mr Peters said.
All approvals
are in principle and subject to contract negotiations.
Investment values are also subject to
change.