Christchurch Airport Welcomes Funding Agreement

Christchurch Airport Welcomes Funding Agreement

Christchurch Airport CEO Jim Boult says the announcement of government funding commitments for major projects is a very positive signal for the city.

The Crown and Christchurch City Council have reached agreement on cost sharing for Horizontal Infrastructure repair and Anchor Projects funding, which Mr Boult describes as an important milestone.

"The agreement provides much needed market confidence and certainty. We look forward to learning more about delivery timeframes for these projects and congratulate both the Crown and Christchurch City Council on this significant agreement," he says.

Mr Boult says the commitment to the convention centre is a very positive step, which both the city and the tourism industry should congratulate the decision makers on.

“Re-establishing world class convention facilities in Christchurch will potentially attract many thousands of international visitors to the city, as well as from around New Zealand.

“Prior to the Christchurch earthquakes, the Christchurch Convention Centre was well established in the international market. This position will be re-instated with the development of the new convention centre,” he says.

Mr Boult says the airport company looks forward to Christchurch having a more sustainable and well-sized CBD.

“The combination of convention centre and hotels, shopping and entertainment precincts, as well as a sports stadium, will invigorate the city," he says. Conference delegates alone spend approximately $318 per night and the government commitment to get the convention centre underway will signal to investors that Christchurch is definitely moving forward.”

Mr Boult says the airport company is proud to be a backbone of the local economy and will work with the various groups to support the success of this project.

“Christchurch Airport is the largest single centre of employment in the South Island,” he says. “More than 6000 people are employed on the airport campus in full time, part time or casual roles. The airport also creates employment for more than 20,000 full time equivalents on and off campus. That means Christchurch Airport generates about $1.7 billion in regional GDP.”

…ENDS

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