Thursday, 11 June 2020 13:25

Further $37.5m for Northland water storage

Written by Staff Reporters

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones.

The Government is investing a further $37.5 million into water security for Northland.

Deputy PM Winston Peters and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones today announced the new funding and the location of a new water storage site.

The new funding follows a Government announcement in April that up to $30 million would be provided through the Provincial Growth Fund for Far North, Mid-North and Kaipara to investigate potential water storage sites in the regions.

A water storage site has now been chosen in Ngawha after months of technical assessment. Construction on the site could begin in September, earlier than the initial aim of this summer.

Both Ministers say they hoped work would begin earlier than initially announced if the project could be fast-tracked through new Resource Management Act provisions developed by Environment Minister David Parker following COVID-19.

“An earlier start to construction would mean more work sooner for contractors and businesses in the region at a time when Northland is suffering through the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Peters.

“Bringing the start date forward by months would also mean an earlier finish date, and earlier access to a secure and reliable water supply for a region that has been hit hard by drought.”

Jones says the additional funding of $37.5m from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will be used to accelerate and expand the delivery of the Northland water storage programme as part of the Government’s COVID-19 response.

“We recognise the value of providing more upfront investment to get these projects moving ahead and lift regional productivity significantly in a much shorter time frame,” says Jones.

“It also provides a visible vote of confidence in the Government’s intention to back its regions.”

More like this

Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'

New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.

Winston's crusade

OPINION: A short-term sugar hit. That's what NZ First leader Winston Peters is calling the proposed sale of Fonterra's consumer and associated businesses.

Red faced

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related protests – and that is to be expected, but the diplomatic efforts and wisdom of Winston Peters in this area should not be overlooked or ignored.

Make the right decision, Peters urges Fonterra farmers

New Zealand First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters is ratcheting up pressure on Fonterra farmers as they vote on divesting the co-operative’s consumer and related businesses.

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

Featured

AgriSIMA 2026 Paris machinery show cancelled

With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.