September 1 2020
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Unlocking Dargaville’s potential u by Andy Bryenton
As part of a package of Provincial Growth Fund disbursements announced last Thursday, Kaipara District Council will receive a contribution of $900,000 to contract the Dargaville Community Development Board to explore options for infrastructure projects in the region. These include progressing the development board’s Dargaville Retirement Village project and a proposal to redevelop the former Northern Wairoa Racecourse. Once an issue of contention due to the initial wording of a bill before parliament, this venue is now set to provide fresh opportunities for the community. Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones confirmed the intent for the racecourse, property of the Dargaville Racing Club, to be explored as a site for socially beneficial developments beyond the remit of equestrian sports. “I’m proud of the investments made today. The acceleration of these projects is a long-term investment in Kaipara, which the local community and iwi will benefit from economically and socially for decades to come,” Jones said. Richard Alspach, speaking both for the racing club and the DCDB, offered gratitude to the minister for his clear position on the subject and for putting the community first. “There haven’t been races in Dargaville for four or five years, and there never will be again,” he said. “There has been some angst about the future of the club’s assets, but we take the position that the club belongs to the community. “Thank you, minister, for coming up here today and explicitly and unequivocally coming down on the side of ownership by the community.”
Council opts for water funding
The Kaipara District Council voted at its meeting last week …
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Dargaville safer under watch With their first year on duty complete …
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Council revamps land management
The Northland Regional Council is to change its land management …
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p A panel of political powers backing Kaipara: Labour’s deputy leader Kelvin Davis, Northland Labour candidate Willow-Jean Prime, Kaipara Mayor Dr Jason Smith and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust chair, Dover Samuels (background)
Uses for the land, which comprises more than 117 acres and sits in a prime position above the floodplain on State Highway 14 have already been discussed, with reference to the scarcity of residential sections, light commercial expansion opportunities, and the need for retirement community space in a district with an ageing population, boosted by emigration from the city. “We are relatively far along the way with plans for a retirement village to serve Dargaville,” says DCDB chairman, Allan Mortensen. “Moreover, we are really excited about working with the Dargaville Racing Club regarding the
possibilities of their land being used to benefit the community.” The Dargaville Community Development Board has been active in spearheading local business growth projects since their inception, including the Seed co-working space, Dargaville CCTV network, and the promotion of a ‘shop local’ brand post-Covid, among many others. The connections, membership and strategic alliances already formed by the board put them in a unique position to best use this grant via the KDC to realise the potential of Dargaville in the near future.
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