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A government plan to pump money into infrastructure projects in a bid to stimulate the economy post-Covid-19 has kept hopes for the dredging of the Mahurangi River alive.
Mahurangi River Restoration Trust management committee chair Steve Burrett says the trust’s initial enthusiasm for securing stimulus money took a knock when it became apparent that the Government was looking at projects costing more than $10 million.
The trust needs just $5.1 million to dredge the river, which it anticipates will reap a host of aesthetic, recreational and economic benefits for generations to come.
A dredged river could allow boats to navigate it at all tides and possibly allow for a fast ferry commuter service between Warkworth and central Auckland.
Mr Burrett says the prospect of missing out on stimulus money because of the $10 million hurdle would be ironic since the trust has worked hard to substantially cut costs by organising land-based disposal of the dredged silt.
But following encouragement from Mahurangi-based Labour MP Marja Lubeck, the trust decided to apply for stimulus money anyway.
Accordingly, the trust worked late into the night to get their application in by the Tuesday deadline this week, managing to do so with just 30 minutes to spare.
Mr Burrett says in the application, the trust pointed out that dredging was only an initial cost. Taking advantage of a dredged river would require other infrastructure such as boat ramps, park and rides, a ferry terminal and facilities for farming oysters.
Moreover, the dredging project met the Government’s “shovel ready” requirement in every sense of the word
“We are probably one of the few infrastructure projects where we have a resource consent and where we have equipment sitting idle ready to go,” he says.
Mr Burrett says previously the trust had lobbied Auckland Council for money for the dredging but now thinks it will be extremely tough to secure funding from that source given the slashing of Council revenues due to Covid-19.
Marja Lubeck says she encouraged the trust to apply for stimulus money after contacting Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford’s office, which indicated it would be worth the trust submitting a proposal.
Ms Lubeck says at various times she has spoken to Finance Minister Grant Robertson, Small Business Minister Stuart Nash and Environment Minister David Parker in support of the river project, emphasising the tourism and environmental benefits of the dredging.
