Business North October 2021

34 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Kawerau: Kawerau District Council Transformation for Kawerau District Karen Phelps “We have learned not to put all our focus on a few large companies but companies of all sizes to spread the risk. If companies tick our values they are welcome to come here.” K awerau is currently experiencing a peri- od of significant change, which presents a host of new opportunities, says Kaw - erau District Council manager, economic and community development Glenn Sutton. The most significant development has been the recent closing of Norske Skog Tasman. For more than 60 years the paper mill has been a huge contributor to the region and the closing is set to have an impact but Glenn says due to on-going economic development work Council has been involved with over the past decade any effects could be minimal and more than outweighed by positive changes in the town. One game changer has been Industrial Sym - biosis Kawerau (ISK). Kawerau District Council is a founding member of this successful part - nership with Kawerau industries and Māori businesses to develop viable, interconnected businesses and relationships that balance social, environmental and economic drivers. The Provincial Growth Fund has also propelled the region forward and saw three Kawerau-based transformational projects for the Eastern Bay gain funding. Collectively called the Kawerau Putauaki Industrial Development, the projects include the Kawerau Container Terminal, develop - ment of Pūtauaki Trust’s industrial area and the Off-Highway Road. Glenn says the Kawerau Container Terminal, which is currently in the planning and design phases, will service a variety of Eastern Bay businesses and comprises a rail siding and related infrastructure. It will reduce carbon emissions by some 16,000 tonnes by sending manufactured goods by rail instead of road and is proposed to be operational by 2022. The Off-Highway Road will link the Kawer - au Container Terminal to existing industry, the Putauaki Trust industrial and plantation forests, and is in the resource consenting phase. The roading infrastructure for the Pūtauaki Trust Industrial Development, an 80-hectare industrial site, has been complet - ed. Waiū Dairy has already set up a new dairy processing plant employing around 40 people and Putauaki Trust is actively looking for tenants to set up commercial and industrial businesses. “These projects are symbiotic and will bring real value to the district and Eastern Bay,” says Glenn. He says that, particularly as much of the commercial land in the district is under Māori ownership, kaitiaki values (people, land, water and air) underpin all economic development. “We have learned not to put all our focus on a few large companies but companies of all sizes to spread the risk. If companies tick our values they are welcome to come here. Putting people first and foremost is key. Our young people want to have good employment opportunities and stay here,” explains Glenn who says that Council is also in discussions with a couple of new industries exploring setting up in the region. He says that the Kawerau District is an attractive proposition for new and existing in- dustry, particularly, with the pressure of urban residential growth in other regions. Kawerau has available industrial land that is adjacent to rail services and the support of top-class engineering services, he says. Conscious of the government’s signals to move to a low carbon economy Glenn believes there are also ample opportunities for Kawer - au in this regard. With renewable geothermal energy and the process heat readily available in the area Council is exploring this potential, he says. Another initiative presented to the Coun - cil has involved the extension of an existing natural gas pipeline owned by Firstgas that will eventually transition to hydrogen in the future to service engineering support firms to complete work for industry in Kawerau and throughout the country. Council is offering its support for this ven - ture. Glenn says that one industrial electrical engineering firm, Millbank Industrial Electric Co, could become the foremost manufacturer nationally to produce a particular product if the proposal goes ahead. “We see this as an excellent opportunity for Kawerau to take the lead to help this business to transition to green hydrogen for the fuel for its industrial oven. This would open the opportunity for other industries as well. It’s an example of how our industry in Kawerau is commercially adept, positive and expanding.” With a current population of around 7500 Kawerau is experiencing continued growth. Accommodating the swelling population has resulted in three developments comprising 35 house and land packages and a 29-unit independent retirement village. Kawerau District Council communications and engagement manager Tania Humber - stone says that despite some delays, main - ly due to COVID-19, the 31-lot residential development on a former primary school site has now paid for itself with 10 house and land packages already sold. Interest and sales for these new freehold house and land devel - opments continue at a fast rate with only 12 sections currently not under contract or in discussion. Demand for units continues at the Porritt Glade Lifestyle Village, an independent-living retirement village for people 60 years plus. Council has now constructed 12 two-bedroom, brick clad units in the gated community – all of which are sold with a licence to occupy and mainly to local Kawerau residents. “Porritt Glade is achieving council’s strategy of providing high-quality, lower cost housing for retirees, while freeing up family homes in the district,” says Tania. She adds the council is mooting further residential development, which has attracted support during the recent Long Term Plan 2021-2031 consultation process. “Lots of peo - ple have decided to come home for different reasons and we are seeing continued growth and demand for housing,” she says. “Kawerau is very buoyant and positive with also other work-based training aimed at Rangatahi rounding off the collaborative economic and community development approach. In addition to ISK being funded by central government to encourage long-term work placements and apprenticeships, the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs initiative will inject further funding.” New developments on the way: Kawerau District Council Porritt Glade Lifestyle Village, left, and the Central Cove housing development.