Three high-profile Waikato initiatives which require funding by ratepayers and taxpayers would fail to get much support from Chamber of Commerce members.
The Waikato chamber held a poll on its social media channels last month asking what one project members would spend $2.2 million in accumulated reserves on.
Forty three percent of the 248 voters opted for Do nothing, Reduce rates.
A quarter said put the money into Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari wildlife island reserve while 26 per cent wanted the Te Huia train to Auckland complete the last two years of its trial.
The launch of Te Huia train in 2021 – Jamie Strange (MP Hamilton East), Hon Nanaia Mahuta (Waikato-Tainui), Dr Gaurav Sharma (MP Hamilton West), Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Hon Michael Wood
Only six per cent wanted the cash to reawaken Te Waka, Waikato’s regional economic development agency.
Don Good, CEO of Waikato Chamber of Commerce
Chamber chief executive Don Good said the result surprised him.
“The lack of support for Te Waka will give Waikato Regional Council food for thought and ensure the debate over the council’s involvement in the old economic development model is robust,” he said.
The regional council is trying to find out what tangible economic development looks like.
With the closure of Te Waka, other Waikato councils have strengthened their own economic development staff levels saying the got no benefit from the agency.
“A lot of what people call economic development seems to be reports, working groups along with connections to political parties and Wellington bureaucracy, but does it result in a tangible return on the ratepayers investment?”
