Our region has had more than its share of economic hits over the past few years. The current fuel crisis is the latest setback. We need to be resilient and stay focused on what we can control amid the global unrest.
This is why we have put significant work into our Nelson-Tasman economic recovery plan that I presented with Council’s Regional Development Agency to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon last Thursday.
The 31-page report, titled “Enabling Nelson Tasman’s Economic Recovery”, outlines our region’s unique challenges, highlights the key opportunities and how Councils, Government and the private sector can partner to get our local economy humming strongly again.
This report emphasises our two key priorities with Government. The half-billion-dollar Nelson Hospital redevelopment is proceeding at speed. The Hope Bypass is progressing with funding provided of $72 million for the design, consenting and land purchases, but we are yet to secure the construction funding. This investment in our highways is essential to unlock the regular gridlock into our city, air terminal and port.
The blueprint also promotes new opportunities for the region including an expansion of the Cawthron Aquaculture Park, new mountain bike trails between Nelson and Pelorus and in inland Abel Tasman, the strengthening and enhancement of Nelson Cathedral and the redevelopment of the Nelson Haven Precinct around Wakefield Quay.
I remain optimistic about our region’s prospects this year with the scale of investments underway. These include Council’s $78m Bridge to Better project and a $55m investment via Port Nelson and Nelson Marina on new travel lifts and marine engineering facilities. Significant private investments include Morrison Square, the Maitahi Village development and a $50m upgrade of Richmond Mall.
Government last week announced the first of its “City and Regional Deals” with Auckland under a new policy of local and central government working more closely together on economic development. This new report is the foundations of advancing a Nelson-Tasman deal.
We will be presenting this report to all Ministers and parliamentary parties as the basis for ongoing engagement on our plans for economic recovery. You can check it out on the Nelson Regional Development Agency’s website.
