Business North November 2021

| 3 “The pace of change in local government is accelerating and we will ensure whatever the impact our district prospers through the coming changes.” Garry Webber REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Region gearing up for more growth T T Karen Phelps Western Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing provincial districts. Western Bay of Plenty T he Western Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing provincial districts. With an estimated population of 57,355 in 2021, this is projected to grow to 71,367 in 2051. Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber believes that with change comes opportunity and big investment is due to be made in the Western Bay of Plenty over the next decade, which will bring positive outcomes for the district. There will be a new swimming pool in Te Puke in 2026, a $100.5 million investment over 10 years in roading maintenance and $16.5 million over 10 years to provide more walking and cycling choices. Challenges remain but Mayor Webber says that the council is committed to facing these head on. In particular the uncertainty about what the future of local government will look like, with major policy reforms currently underway – Three Waters, Resource Manage- ment, and the Future for Local Government Review. “The pace of change in local government is accelerating and we will ensure whatever the impact our district prospers through the coming changes,” he says. With population growth comes a need for more housing. The Ōmokoroa peninsula has been identi - fied as a major area of growth and the new Stage 3 Structure Plan, which will complete the urban development of the peninsula, proposes 2300 dwellings over the next 25-30 years to give a total population of 12,000 at Ōmokoroa by 2050. Located in Stage 3 is also a town centre, industrial land, primary and secondary school, and large active reserve which will serve Ōmokoroa and its hinterland and provide substantial employment. To cater for this significant growth council is undertaking a series of projects – roading, recreation, cycleways, stormwater, building and planning – between now and 2022. However, a critical piece of infrastructure that remains missing is the State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Intersection following another set - back when Government decided to withdraw Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s funding for the project earlier this year. To counter this council submitted a $150 million application for the intersection to Kāinga Ora’s $1 billion Infrastructure Acceler - ation Fund. “This is a critical project not only for the dis - trict but the western Bay of Plenty sub-region. Ōmokoroa is a priority growth area. “We are committed to seeing this piece of infrastructure come to fruition so we can help develop connected centres across the sub-re- gion,” says Mayor Webber. Successful in its expression of interest, council will deliver a comprehensive business case by mid-December with Government aiming to make a final announcement on the funding allocations later in 2022. The other big development for the Western Bay of Plenty is Rangiuru Business Park, which officially kicked off with earthworks commenc- ing on October 7. Once completed the project is tipped to significantly stimulate industrial growth in the wider Bay of Plenty. T T to page 4