New Action Plan for the future

File Photo.

A refreshed Action Plan is expected to put Bay of Plenty in an economically-stable place as the region grows.

The Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Action Plan was launched by economic development minister Simon Bridges and primary industries minister Nathan Guy at the Bay of Connections forum in Rotorua today.

The new plan reflects 46 completed or reassigned milestones and 38 new actions for the region.

The key new actions include the development of Plantech, a new Regional Research Institute in Tauranga, the implementation of regional tourism priorities to support growth of the visitor economy, and improvement in Maori Land Utilisation.

'It is fantastic to see the rapid progress that has been made in implementing the plan so far. Successes include savings and improved efficiencies in moving freight to the Port, the development of a Maori youth strategy and projects to increase jobs in the Kiwifruit industry,” says MP Simon Bridge.

'The Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand's strongest growing regions, with an increase of 7.7 per cent in GDP in the last year. A wide range of sectors contribute to the success of the region, including horticulture, forestry, agriculture and tourism.”

'The addition of the Regional Research Institute will further leverage the Bay of Plenty's strengths in horticulture, particularly kiwifruit.”

The New Regional Research Institute, Plantech is the fourth successful proposal under the government's initiative to establish new regional research institutes.

The government will provide funding of $8.42 million over five years for the new institute, alongside additional funding from industry, and it will operate as a private, independently-governed organisation.

Plantech will initially focus on research to enable digital automation of devices for growers, including robotics and digital sensing, with the aim of becoming a leader in supporting customised, precise and automated production systems that are accessible for businesses at a range of scales.

'The refreshed action plan highlights the importance of maximising infrastructure. Funding was announced today to enable the region to look at economic growth opportunities through the use of water, which will benefit many of the key industries in the region. This work will provide invaluable information to help ensure the region's water is responsibly managed for the benefit of everybody in the area,” says primary industries minister Nathan Guy.

Kawerau Container Terminal study

Research on the Kawerau container terminal assessed whether an inland port would improve the efficiency of supply chain to market, and found that 88 per cent of containers would be better off on rail while travelling to the Port of Tauranga.

The assessment showed that the container terminal and train could save $100 to $250 per container, and the economic impact would equate to an estimated saving of $1.85 million to $2.77 million per year, plus environmental and social benefits.

Road safety, maintenance costs and C02 emissions would also improve with about 35,000 fewer heavy vehicles on the road annually, removing more than 80 trucks a day from State Highway 2.

Formation of the Tertiary Intentions Leadership Group

The Tertiary Intentions Leadership Group has supported the development of a Maori youth strategy by He Mauri Ohoohoo and includes initiatives like the Taiohi Discovery Tour and presented students with an all-encompassing look into the primary industries, from paddock to market.

This Group established in 2016 aims to enhance education provision and pathways.

Job creation through horticulture projects

The Bay of Plenty produces nearly 80 per cent of New Zealand's kiwifruit exports.

Omaio, near Te Kaha in the eastern Bay of Plenty, aims to transform 150 hectares of low productivity land into high value kiwifruit orchards.

The project aims to create 100 new jobs for the community, with the Opotiki District Council committing to rates relief for the landowners.

Te Rau Aroha Trust is now developing an investment memorandum for capital investment to establish and manage the first kiwifruit orchards.

This project is in addition to the Te Tumu Paeroa partnership with Quayside Holdings to establish kiwifruit across the Bay of Plenty.

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1 comment

here we go again

Posted on 15-07-2017 13:40 | By old trucker

Heres another plan from Simple Simon,for goodness sake we need a bypass in Kati Kati simple, funding $8.4 million, and NO bypass, by this it looks like he favours special people ,(by the name)my thoughts only, Sunlive Thankyou,10-4 out.


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