Central Otago District Council has received $325,000 to develop a cycle hub, toilets and the provision of potable water at Alexandra Riverside Reserve. 

The funding was made by Tourism Minister Stuart Nash as he announced details of 57 nationwide projects to receive support from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF).

Central Otago District Council chief advisor Saskia Righarts says the funding will ease some burden on the rate payers. 

“Central Otago District Council is delighted to receive funding of $325,000 to help support the development of the Riverside Park in Alexandra,” she says. 

“This project will rejuvenate lower Tarbert Street in Alexandra, by creating a multi-purpose community and visitor hub. 

“The project has taken inspiration from comparable development projects that have reinvigorated and transformed under-utilised or neglected spaces within other centres across New Zealand included Wellington and Picton waterfronts and, closer to home, the Cromwell historical precinct. 

“Walkways, terraces and seating have transformed these areas into magnetic spaces that draw locals and visitors there to enjoy the space for family-friendly recreation and for community events. 

“These improved spaces are the building blocks from which businesses and activities can grow and develop.”

The government’s support will ease the rates burden on Vincent Ward ratepayers who had approved loan funding for the entire project in the recent LTP.

Tourism Central Otago general manager Dylan Rushbrook says the visitor economy in Central Otago has been incredibly well supported in recent years and we’ve seen a real rise in awareness of what the Central Otago offering is. 

“The last 12 months have shown Central Otago is not suffering the catastrophic impacts on our communities as those regions who were heavily weighted to international visitors. 

“I believe the support given to those regions suffering most is completely appropriate and as I have always said, we need those other areas to be successful for Central Otago to be successful. 

“Visitors don’t care about boundaries, it is all about the overall experience of their entire trip and if this funding enhances that experience, then we all will enjoy the benefits.”

Five South Island areas are prioritised in the latest round of decisions from a tourism fund that is supporting infrastructure projects from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island and the Chathams.

In April it was announced the TIF would prioritise Fiordland, South Westland, Queenstown Lakes, Mackenzie District, and Kaikōura, where tourism has been most affected by the absence of international visitors.

“The five South Island areas were heavily reliant on international tourism. Domestic tourism is experiencing a boom as Kiwi travellers embrace the call to ‘do something new’ but these South Island regions are still doing it tough,” Stuart Nash says.

“Government funding for these projects will provide much-needed local employment while borders are tightly controlled to keep us safe from COVID-19. The new tourism facilities will also help local councils prepare for the return of visitors in greater numbers.

“Tourism projects in the five regions will receive $10 million from a total pool of $18 million in this funding round. The projects share a common theme of enhancing popular lakefront and beachfront facilities to improve the visitor experience.

“Upgrades to public assets on the lakefront at Queenstown, Glenorchy, and Wanaka will improve facilities for boaties, pedestrians, cyclists and tourism operators.

“Lakefront infrastructure at Te Anau and Manapouri in Fiordland also receives support, such as boat ramps and access roads, as well as much-needed further funding for the Te Anau wastewater project. 

“The Southland District Council also successfully applied for support for tourism projects on Stewart Island/Rakiura.

“The iconic lakes of Mackenzie District are recognised as significant tourism destinations. There is new funding for upgraded carpark and toilet facilities at Lake Pukaki and Lake Ruataniwha, as well as camping facilities in Fairlie.

“In Westland, a new boat trailer area and visitor parking will be built at the remote and spectacular Jackson Bay south of Haast, and the visitor carpark next to the Franz Josef heliport and township will be upgraded.

“Kaikōura’s strong connection to the sea will be enhanced with an upgraded pathway along the foreshore from the Esplanade past the seal habitat at Point Kean, allowing the community to tell its own stories of ‘life on the edge’.

“In the past few months I have travelled to all five of these regions and spoken to mayors and other leaders about what is needed to help the communities adjust. 

“This tourism fund is just one of a number of initiatives designed to keep up the momentum of recovery, and we remain focused on supporting local jobs and businesses in future decisions.

“Nationwide, 57 projects are funded in this TIF round. They range from wifi-connected smart bins along Paihia and Russell waterfronts, to a new toilet block at Tokomaru Bay Wharf, a new cycle hub in Alexandra, and the development of the Hokitika beachfront.

“The Tourism Infrastructure Fund supports local communities under pressure from tourism, especially those with small ratepayer bases. 

“This year it is funding a great range of new and upgraded facilities, which will make a difference to locals, Kiwis exploring their backyard, and international travellers when our borders open further,” Stuart Nash says.

The full list of recipients is available at www.mbie.govt.nz/tif-round-5