Chief executive says several projects are “step-change initiatives for the region”
Northland Region could be set for significant growth if several infrastructure projects in the pipeline push through, according to the chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA).
And this could have a considerable impact on the region’s housing market, which the Trade Me Property Index revealed has experienced an increase in average asking prices.
Read more: Property prices hit three-year high
Brett O’Riley, chief executive at EMA, said that planned infrastructure initiatives – including a new floating dock at Northport, new transport projects, and a proposal to relocate some of the operations of the Royal New Zealand Navy to Whangarei – are “step-change initiatives for the region.”
O’Riley said that the relocation of the Navy in particular would be a “shot in the arm for Northland.”
“It could potentially lower housing and living costs for existing and future Navy staff and give the Navy access to a recruitment pool from Northland and Auckland,” he said. “It also builds on the marine training expertise at Northtec and the marine engineering capability of Whangarei-based companies.”
The region would also benefit from the floating dock opportunity in partnership with Northport, according to O’Riley.
“The floating dock is a significant strategic asset for New Zealand for both commercial, super yacht and Navy fleets, with numerous opportunities for the current business based in Auckland to be expanded as a result,” he said. “Northport is the logical location, as it also leverages the significant local heavy engineering capability.”
