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Bay of Plenty Business News joins the Good Local Media family under new leadership
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Certainty sparks confidence Central government’s recent decision to sign a draft Memorandum of Understanding with the Western Bay of Plenty has the potential to be transformational, writes David Porter.
A
bold new approach to regional infrastructure planning is taking shape, as the central government moves to formalise draft Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Western Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and Otago/Central Lakes. These agreements, which aim to establish long-term strategic partnerships between local and central government, are being hailed by business and civic leaders as a potential gamechanger - offering greater certainty, improved coordination, and a pathway to unlocking economic growth across key regions. The MOUs - once signed into fully operating agreements - will affect the way that infrastructure is provided to the regions and the general partnership between regions and the government, outgoing Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt says. “Around infrastructure development, the relationship clearly doesn’t work,” says Tutt. “That’s why we have problems and deficits now. The whole idea is to improve that. It will
provide massive benefits to the region.” Tutt says one of the most valuable aspects of the final MOUs will be the creation of 10-year plans between the region and the government. Proposed changes Draft agreements have already been signed with Auckland and Otago/Central Lakes, as well as Western Bay of Plenty. In the view of some business observers, the shape of the proposal at this stage reflects: the inclusion of New Zealand’s largest city; the tourism industry clustered around Queenstown; as well as the Western BOP as an expanding local urban region, as well as Tauranga’s role as one of New Zealand’s busiest ports. The MOUs will be transformed into strategic 10-year partnerships between local and central government. These will aim to progress joint priorities, including economic growth, enabling abundant housing, better management and utilisation of local assets, and closing the infrastructure deficit, says Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop.
But one of the most significant outcomes of the government proposal, assuming it goes ahead as envisaged, will result in us seeing less of the sometimes extreme changes of policies that often come about as a result of changes in government. Tauranga deputy mayor Jen Scoular speaking to The News while attending the recent Small Government of NZ Conference, says there was cross-party recognition that long-term projects benefit from stability. “For projects it would be a lot better for everyone if there was an ability to carry those on across government changes.” Long-term willingness Priority One chair and former Tauranga MP Todd Muller says there appears to be a genuine willingness for the Crown to commit to long-term funding and regulatory support for the region over the next decade. He also noted a desire to remove political interference from the planning process. “I think the MOUs announcement is quite
Port of Tauranga.
significant.” According to the government announcement, the programme has five key objectives: Better coordination between central government and regions, including how we work together and align our priorities Unlocking regions’ unique potential and lifting economic growth, including regional employment opportunities Making room for housing growth Ensuring local governments do a better job at managing and utilising their asset base and make significant progress to close their infrastructure deficits – without new funding from Central Government. Ensuring Local Governments comprehensively adopt Central Government priority reforms such as Local Water Done Well, Resource Management Act reform, and Going for Housing Growth. Bay of Plenty Regional Council chair, Doug CO NT I NU ED O N PAGE 2
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