ESTABLISHING a government department in Central Taranaki, such as a prison, would have huge benefits to a district such as Stratford, says Stratford District Council CEO Michael Freeman.Mr Freeman said the benefits of a large employer in the district would ensure the ongoing future of Stratford, as the smallest local authority in the region.
"Stratford needs to grow. The current population of 9000 is quite stable, but an increase of locals would ensure our viability.
"Looking at council's long term plan, we could do with more growth.
"In a report, Venture Taranaki suggested that the District population could grow to 12,000 as Taranaki expands.
"I agree – more population would cut down rates, ensure more jobs and spread capital costs, such as the new water plant, among more ratepayers.
"In two years time council is obliged by central government to spend about $10million on the water treatment plant. Spread over 2000 ratepayers that's not a pretty equation. More ratepayers would lighten the load immensely.
He said the rating increase this year was kept down due to 90 extra ratepayers, as new subdivision properties have been built in Stratford.
"Milton, in the South Island, about the size of Midhirst, has a brand new prison. As a result they have a new water plant, new sewage plant, many new houses and a lot of work for locals.
"The government is building a new 960-bed prison in Wiri which will bring an estimated $1.2 billion of benefits to that area over the next 30 years.
A facility like a prison would bring ongoing work and supply to the district.
"New Plymouth prison is old and it would be very expensive to modernize and develop.
"Why not build a new facility near Stratford?"
"Some people won't be happy at the idea, but all criminals are not murderers and rapists. There's tax dodgers and all sorts behind bars. Also once people get released they are unlikely to hang around the place they were imprisoned.
Mr Freeman, speaking personally rather than as a representative of council, said no manufacturing business of any size is likely to come to the town.
"It's beneficial for any district to have people working and spending in the district. If people work in New Plymouth and live in Stratford, they will spend in New Plymouth.
"If not something like a prison, what other industry could the district attract?
"Our dairy resources go to Fonterra, there's not enough timber to support a timber processing operation. Most of out tourism related resources are free and nature-related.
"Oil and gas exploration is short term, then ends up being an automated process, like the new power station – lots of jobs to start with, then few people required to run the plant.
He said statistically the district population has not altered much over the years. The rural population has gone down, due to different farming economies of scale, but the town population has risen.
"The western side of Stratford is growing and the east of Broadway is shrinking.
"There's more migration these days and some people are drawn to Stratford as a cheaper place to live.
"As a rural support town I can't see Stratford changing much either way, but a bigger population would support more local businesses and certainly lower rates.
"If people don't like the idea of a prison facility in Stratford, I'd love to hear of better suggestions to encourage growth in the town," he added.
Prison could bring great benefits to Stratford says CEO
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