The following media release from the Grow Whakatāne Advisory board outlines their recommendations for economic development in the Whakatāne District.
The Grow Whakatāne Advisory Board has strongly advocated the need for economic development “intervention” to ensure a sustainable future for the community.
Board chairman Tony de Farias says an economic growth strategy is a vital part of any community plan. “From the board’s perspective, there’s no doubt that without intervention to stimulate growth, the Whakatāne District’s population will be static at best and will probably decline,” he says. “That could compromise the viability of many of the services and benefits we enjoy as a community today.
“A stagnating economy also means we will not be generating new jobs, or even maintaining our current employment base, which would mean more people and particularly our youth would be forced to move away to find work.”
Mr de Farias says the Whakatāne District and the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty have a significant resource base which could underpin economic development, but a positive community attitude was needed to achieve that potential.
“Cultural and environmental sensitivities clearly have to be adequately addressed as part of any development proposal, but as a community we need to be open to ways of mitigating adverse effects and not allowing such issues to stand in the way of much-needed investment.”
He says the Board sees significant growth potential in a number of economic drivers in the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty, including tourism, the Māori economy, agriculture and horticulture, aquaculture, forestry and heavy industry.
“Whakatāne has a major opportunity to grow as the region’s central services and population hub, and attract a retirement age population through the development of a retirement lifestyle village,” he adds. “Such a development would be greatly enhanced and attract a wider range of residents if it was linked to marine precinct facilities, including a fully-serviced marina and canal housing.
“Our population base is critical to maintaining a wide range of services which we currently take for granted. Our airport, for example, health services, the retail sector, our local newspapers and radio stations and even the services provided by our local councils can only be sustained and improved by a healthy economy and growing and thriving community. Our concern is to ensure that as a community we embrace the opportunities before us and work together to address concerns about the potential impacts of development in a way that satisfies all parties.
“The writing is on the wall for regional New Zealand – take action, or face the prospect of steady economic decline and communities which will struggle to remain viable population centres.”
Mr de Farias says the Board’s role is to drive both economic and population growth. To this end, a Grow Whakatāne Economic Development strategy is currently being prepared, with the aim of building upon the region’s competitive advantages. These include the potential development of Council-owned strategic landholdings, progressing the Town Vision strategy, growing the tourism and events sectors, and utilising Whakatāne’s climatic and lifestyle advantages to position the region as an aspirational destination for both retirees and international migrants. Mr de Farias also notes the importance of identifying and realising the opportunities that arise from Council’s ownership of commercial assets such as the port, airport and CBD land.