BayTrust funding for Ōpōtiki Harbour Redevelopment

Last month, BayTrust announced Ōpōtiki District Council’s (ODC) successful application for a grant of $50,000 to use towards the Ōpōtiki Harbour Transformation Project.

This grant will be used in conjunction with Bay of Plenty Regional Council funding for a number of key workstreams including geotechnical analysis, final design works, and scoping social initiatives to ensure benefits are seen in the local area.

This grant is the fourth since the signing of an MOU between BayTrust and ODC that recognised the significance of the Harbour Project to the Ōpōtiki community and the alignment of objectives between the two organisations. BayTrust Trustees are delighted to see their continued investment and support for this project enabling the project to gain traction and attract investors.

Terri Eggleton, Community Development Advisor at BayTrust, explained. “The Council’s Harbour redevelopment project is important to the Trust as it aligns with our core strategic focus – to help build, strengthen and enhance Bay of Plenty communities. It is just one of the many projects in Ōpōtiki that we are pleased to support and we are proud to see so many great projects coming out of this community,” she said.

This year’s funding decision is particularly significant for the Ōpōtiki District Council Chief Executive, Aileen Lawrie, as the project gains a higher profile and the Regional Council expressed their vote of confidence with a pledge of $18million through the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

“The momentum on this project has built significantly over the past year, and the recent commencement of geotechnical work is a very tangible and visible step to the commencement of construction. In addition, the $18 million pledge from Regional Council was a massive win for us all. But it is the on-going support of BayTrust that has made much of the progress to date possible. Their support of the business case and the lead-up to this point has been invaluable and it is great to see that support continue this year,” Ms Lawrie said.

You can find out more about BayTrust and their grant funding programme on their website www.baytrust.org.nz. You can find out more about the Council’s Harbour Redevelopment Project on their website www.odc.govt.nz.

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