30 October 2017
Media: Rotorua Review
Topic: Government's planned $1b regional development fund
Inquiry
I'm working on a story about the new Government plans for a $1bn regional development fund.
Firstly I wanted to ask [the mayor] whether she expects any of that money to be invested in Rotorua?
I wanted to ask too whether she could tell me any specific projects council may lobby Shane Jones for funding for?
Other regions will of course be lobbying for funds for their own projects, does [the mayor] think it's important to get working on potential funding requests early?
I understand Fletcher Tabuteau has the role of Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Regional Economic Development. Given his Rotorua ties does [the mayor] think that may give our region an edge in any funding requests?
Lastly, if [the mayor] could secure development fund cash for just one project - what would she chose?
Response
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
"I welcome the Government's forward thinking approach to de-coupling the ministries and establishing a dedicated regional economic development fund which will spark innovation. We look forward to future discussions with Regional Economic Development Minister, Shane Jones, about the prospect of establishing a Forestry Service headquarters here in Rotorua, which makes sense given we are the centre of forestry in Aotearoa with 40 per cent of all trees harvested in the country grown within a 100km radius of Rotorua. Fundamentally, this Government made it clear during its campaign that it was committed to a four-lane solution for Te Ngae Road, which is a key link for primary industries to the Port of Tauranga as well as in anticipation of business and population growth. Developing key routes in and out of Rotorua is imperative to the future development of our community. We'll need to see the detail of the new regional economic development direction and the $1b fund before we can determine how we would apply for funding. I expect any bid for funding would be treated fairly and that potentially consideration would be given to how these applications contribute to the national economic growth. Any funding application from Rotorua Lakes Council would need to align with the strengths and opportunities we are focussed on as part of our 2030 refresh, The Rotorua Way, to help us progress towards our district's 2030 vision. The Rotorua Way and the spatial plan which is currently out for public consultation, will provide the direction for our next Long-term Plan which we're starting to work on so we will certainly consider any opportunities for central government funding that may align. Among other things The Rotorua Way looks to enable business innovation and prosperity, develop and support resilient communities, create employment opportunities and ensure we do it all in a way that enhances and protects our environment. In terms of a particular project I'd like to see us working on, it would be the expansion and development of wood manufacturing, taking that all the way through to housing solutions, which lines up well with our forestry sector and Rotorua's wood-first policy. We look forward to continuing to work with all our local MPs - as we have in the past. Ongoing central Government investment is important for us as we continue to plan for the district's future growth and ensuring we have the infrastructure to cater for that."