Tourism infrastructure funding announced

Details of where just over $6million will be spent on tourism infrastructure projects in the South has been greeted with joy from all but one quarter.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash yesterday announced in Queenstown details of 57 nationwide projects to receive support from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF).

The Queenstown Lakes share, $2,414,784, will go towards upgrades at the Glenorchy car park and marina ($375,000); public toilet upgrades, lighting and signage in Marine Parade in Queenstown ($826,000); safety upgrades of pedestrian pathways and a boat ramp and jetty at the Wanaka lakefront ($781,784); and an upgrade of the Wanaka Tree car park ($432,000).

In Southland, the lion’s share of its $3,739,125 will go towards Fiordland projects.

A total of $1.1million will go towards upgrading a boat ramp, toilets and car park at Pearl Harbour, and upgrading the access road and toilets at Fraser’s Beach in Manapouri. Another $1.5million will go to the Te Anau Wastewater project and $440,000 is for the replacement of two boat ramps in Te Anau to meet the required standards, as well as for a new toilet for Bluegum Point.

The remaining funding is for Stewart Island projects — $600,000 for a replacement of the Ulva Island wharf, and $99,125 to construct a viewing platform at Observation Rock.

In April Mr Nash announced the TIF would prioritise Fiordland, South Westland, Queenstown Lakes, the Mackenzie district and Kaikoura, where tourism has been most affected by the absence of international visitors.

Southland Mayor Gary Tong said he was ‘‘thrilled’’ $3.7million of the funding was supporting projects in Fiordland and on Stewart Island/Rakiura, while Fiordland councillor and deputy mayor Ebel Kremer was particularly excited for the funding of the Te Anau wastewater project, which matched exactly what was asked for.

“I appreciate the support from central Government and it means a lot to our communities.”

Stewart Island councillor Bruce Ford is equally elated at the announcement, noting the importance and popularity of these projects.

Mr Tong said the funding would go far in “boosting the morale” of an area hit hard by Covid-19 closing the borders to international tourists.

Tourism projects in the five South Island regions will receive $10million from a total pool of $18million in this funding round.

In the Mackenzie district funding is to upgrade the car parks and toilet facilities at Lake Pukaki and Lake Ruataniwha, and camping facilities in Fairlie, while in Westland a new boat trailer area and visitor parking will be built at Jackson Bay, south of Haast, and the visitor car park next to the Franz Josef heliport and township will be upgraded.

But Dunedin city councillor Sophie Barker, who formerly had a career in tourism, was not happy about the city missing out on the fund.

She said it had been incredibly stressful for Dunedin operators since March 2020 and people and businesses were hurting.