The business community has backed a $6 million stormwater project aimed at easing flooding in Westbourne and Gonville.
But Business Whanganui and the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce say it is a vital project if the city is to attract and retain industry.
In submitting to the Whanganui District Council's annual plan hearing on Wednesday, Business Whanganui's Kate Joblin said the stormwater work would open up Westbourne (Mosston Rd) as an alternative industrial area to Heads Rd.
"Putting this in place would put us in a position to at least be able to compete with other centres," she said.
The work is aimed at improving stormwater drainage in an area from the Westbourne industrial estate, through the Titoki wetlands and into Gilberd St next to the Whanganui River.