Nearly $20 million has been earmarked to help get Dunedin's KiwiRail workshop back on track, while the city's ambitious waterfront redevelopment has received a green light for more funding.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announces funding for Dunedin's Hillside workshop. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
About 90 staff were laid off when the Hillside engineering workshop was mostly closed down in 2012, as KiwiRail sent contracts offshore. Some work continued, with international firm Bradken using the foundry and a number of staff working on locomotive and wagon repairs.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced $19.97m from the Provincial Growth Fund would be used to upgrade the two main workshop buildings and overhaul the mechanical plant.
Mr Jones said this would help re-establish the workshop as a mechanical hub and engineering facility to service and maintain KiwiRail's trains.
"Hillside is the only heavy lifting rail facility in the South Island so it is vital to KiwiRail's business," he said.
"It makes sense to ensure there are quality facilities available to support KiwiRail to maintain their trains and undertake a range of heavy maintenance and upgrade work."
The announcement was part of the government's plans to revitalise rail, Mr Jones said.
Otago's engineering and manufacturing sectors received nearly $8m in additional PGF funding with hopes the investment will lead to more than 80 new permanent jobs.
"We are providing $5.8m towards the establishment of a dedicated manufacturing agriculture technology business unit within Dunedin-based company Scott Technology," Mr Jones said.
"This unit will be dedicated to automation solutions and services for New Zealand food processors, producers and their suppliers."
Trade and Export Minister David Parker said the funding package included close to $500,000 for the Southland and Otago Regional Engineering Collective.
"Both this and the seven other projects that received funding today will create a step change in productivity and efficiency, and lead to the development of 87 new permanent jobs in the region," he said.
"New Zealanders have a reputation for thinking outside the square and the PGF recognises our regions are home to some of our most creative and innovative thinkers. Our focus on the manufacturing and engineering industry recognises this region's pioneering spirit."
More money for waterfront development
Meanwhile, Mr Jones has also announced close to $20 million for the waterfront development project from the Provincial Growth Fund this afternoon.
The in-principle investment is expected to help build the wharf infrastructure and public space.
Dunedin city and harbour. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Mr Jones said the project would transform Dunedin's waterfront into an accessible destination for all.
"The waterfront transformation is part of wider local initiatives underway to stimulate economic growth and employment within Dunedin and the wider Otago region," he said.
"The council expects the completed project will bring new jobs in education, research, technology, innovation and tourism ventures in the region."
Last July, the Dunedin City Council received $820,000 from the fund to complete a feasibility assessment and business case for the project.
The plan, which was unveiled by local architect Damien van Brandenburg in 2017, has the backing of the Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council, Otago University, Port Otago and Ngāi Tahu.
Otago is also setting its sights on becoming the centre of the country's creative digital industry over the next decade.
Mr Jones announced another $10 million will be invested into the region's industry today.
He said establishing the Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) would be a catalyst for a stronger digital economy.
Plans for the centre were announced two years ago in a bid to build on the city's digital strengths.
"Over a 10-year period it's estimated that CODE will create between 30 and 50 new small video game studios, each employing on average three-and-a-half employees and three to five large video game studios, each employing on 45 workers on average," he said.
"Dunedin is well placed to do this as it builds on the emerging gaming and digital businesses, a thriving start-up mentality, strong Māori partnerships, global links and strong academic partners."
Engineering projects funded:
- $495,000 over three years for the Southland and Otago Regional Engineering Collective, to go towards establishment of the Collective to bring a coordinated approach across the sector to build capability and capacity.
- $5.8 million for Scott Agritech for the establishment of a dedicated Agritech Business Unit to become a New Zealand-specific and customer-led supplier of automation solutions and services for mainly food processors.
- $240,000 for Petridish Limited to go towards equipment and salaries for its 'Makerspace' area that allows manufacturing businesses to trial and test new, innovative products.
- $520,000 for United Machinists to go towards purchasing a specific piece of engineering equipment to accelerate the manufacturing of parts and products.
- $350,000 for Site Weld to purchase three pieces of engineering equipment for its fabrication, repair and maintenance services business, which services mining, industrial, heavy transport, marine and forestry sectors and is regularly involved in Health and Safety solutions.
- $325,000 for Farra Engineering Limited to go towards the installation of a Horizontal Floor Borer machine which will help complete maintenance work in shorter timeframes for several major South Island power generators.
- $110,000 for Bison Group Limited to go towards creating a demonstration space to showcase its products that lift and weigh shipping containers and for additional equipment.
- $93,000 for Red One Fabrication Limited to go towards a specific piece of engineering equipment to help this company, which is a leader in the innovation and design of Stainless Steel and Aluminium products for the Aviation industry, increase its output.
- $19.97 million for KiwiRail Dunedin Hillside Workshops to upgrade the two main workshop buildings, overhaul mechanical plant, to enable KiwiRail to increase the services it undertakes at Hillside.