Dargaville gets its flood rescue aid

By Ken Lewis

DARGAVILLE - A $200,000 flood rescue package for Dargaville will be presented tonight by the Minister of Business Development, Peter McCardle.

The money is part of a Government fund set up to help businesses hit by natural disasters.

It has aided those affected by the Mt Ruapehu eruptions and drought in the South Island.

The $201,350 for Dargaville is in response to flash flooding which hit the town in April.

Rain and unusually high tides combined to push the Wairoa River over stopbanks, inundating lowlying businesses in the town.

Several kumara and dairy farms were also affected.

The chairman of the Business Recovery Project Committee, Ian Bloore, said most of the money would be used to promote the town. Some would be set aside to help businesses with an education and mentoring programme.

He said promotion of the town would begin immediately, and new road signs, an Internet Web site and a promotional video were already planned.

Education and mentoring by business experts would start within three months, once a survey had established which businesses most needed it.

"Many businesses were already hurting with the closure of the dairy factory and poor returns recently in farming," Mr Bloore said.

"The flood really was the last thing they needed, and it came on a day that should have been a highlight for many."

The flood ruined the annual Kumara Festival, the day Dargaville celebrates its role as New Zealand's kumara capital.

About half the businesses questioned in a survey soon after the floods reported a downturn.

Mr McCardle will make his presentation during a ceremony attended by the mayor, Graeme Ramsey, and Kaipara District councillors.