West Coast leaders welcome Regional Infrastructure Fund

Speaking on behalf of the group, Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson says West Coast leaders have been working closely together on potential projects.

“We have a clear briefing from government that ensures we are consistently building resiliency in our key infrastructure networks that also provide economic development opportunities.

The top three projects in the first instance are the Hokitika Airport and the Greymouth and Westport Ports.”

The Regional Infrastructure Fund is primarily a capital fund in that support is provided through a mix of loan and equity investments; grants are available in only very limited cases. There is an expectation that any project would be co-funded by the recipient council. West Coast leaders recognised that co-funding wasn’t an option that could place upon the districts’ rate payers who are struggling at this time with the cost of living and rising costs.

“We are therefore delighted that Development West Coast, as our partner, has secured in principle $10 million of initial co-funding towards these projects. This sets us up to be well prepared when we put our final applications into the Regional Infrastructure Fund. Any funding is, of course, subject to approval of the projects by Government,” said Mayor Gibson.

“While it is still early days and we now need to work through finalising the details of our projects, West Coast Mayors, Chairs and Iwi are pleased to give our region assurance that we have been planning ahead to be prepared for what may arise.”

Mayor Gibson says the leadership group thanks Development West Coast for working alongside it in the process and committing to this co-funding arrangement.

Development West Coast chief executive, Heath Milne, said DWC has made this commitment to leverage more investment into the region through the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

"We will be working directly with the councils on each individual project based on the priorities of the Mayors, Chairs and Iwi leadership group. DWC is also working with commercial businesses on potential applications to the fund.”