Northland remains "isolated", in that the "concrete plug" that is the Johnstone's Hills tunnel, still restricts the flow of development to the North, says Steve Smith. Photo / NZME
Northland remains "isolated", in that the "concrete plug" that is the Johnstone's Hills tunnel, still restricts the flow of development to the North, says Steve Smith. Photo / NZME
COMMENT
Northland is a place of dreams, some big, some small and some recurring. The North has always had great potential to be even more than it is, the problem seems to be, that more often or not, potential has been crushed by primarily outside forces.
Auckland by comparison, has beenable to seize many of its opportunities and has benefited accordingly. What perhaps it has failed to do, is act as a catalyst to the regions surrounding it, this has been to some major extent due to its "isolation" through lack of connecting infrastructure.
It is only in recent years, that corridors to the south and east have been upgraded, releasing stress from the Auckland "pressure cooker". The resulting growth in community wealth in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas has been significant.
Northland remains "isolated", in that the "concrete plug" that is the Johnson Hills Tunnel, still restricts the flow of development to the north. Together with perhaps the rail and resulting potential expansion of our port, primary infrastructure must precede any real attempt at precipitating sustainable growth for us up here on Tai Tokerau Island.
There are some very notable projects taking very real shape, here are just a few:
a) The Riverside Drive Hotel and Events Centre b) The Heart of Northland CBD redevelopment c) Marsden Waste Gasification Plant d) Ngawha Innovation and Enterprise Park e) Northport expansion plan f) Northern Rail upgrade g) Whangarei Marina expansion h) Hihiaua Cultural Centre i) Refining NZ Solar Energy Plant.
Northland Development Corporation's Barry Trass, left, and Ben Tomason at the site of the proposed new hotel development last year on Riverside Drive in Whangārei. Photo / Michael Cunningham
The Riverside Drive Hotel and Events centre is approaching the culmination of the PGF funded feasibility study and looks very likely to proceed. The project offers itself as a powerful catalyst to further civic build projects and may even extend its remit to that of a multiuse event and performing arts venue, which could save the community tens of millions of dollars.
The Whangārei and Northland's principle CBD is finally receiving the attention of its stakeholders and a representative steering group has put its shoulder to the wheel to turn talk into reality.
Whangārei District Council's well thought through, but still flexible Core Precinct plan, is central to a wide range of builds, such as residential, parking, retail and education. More news to come.
New Zealand, along with the rest of the world, faces a huge challenge in the disposal of its waste. The Marsden Waste Gasification Plant, is one of the leading process owners to not only find a solution for today and tomorrow's waste, but even that of yesterday (landfills can be excavated and processed).
The plant takes a wide range of spoil and converts it into its component chemical parts ready for reuse. Interest in this project is very strong, from both New Zealand and foreign interests.
With bank interest rates at record lows, it stands to reason there is a rapidly growing interest in projects of scale and relevance to our community, some of which may be open to smaller investors via various funds. Watch for these opportunities over the next few years.
All in all, very exciting times to be a Northlander. Hallelujah!
• Stephen Smith is NorthChamber's chief executive.
