An Adventure Park planned for Porirua City will generate millions of dollars in GDP and create hundreds of jobs according to a report by economic consultants MartinJenkins.
The report will be discussed by Porirua City Council’s City Delivery Committee this week.
Committee Chairperson Cr Anita Baker says Council engaged Martin Jenkins to undertake an Economic Impact Assessment as part of its due diligence for the development of the Adventure Park, being developed by Select Contracts NZ.
“The report gives solid data on GDP impact, job creation, visitor numbers and their potential spending in our city and the Wellington region as a result of the Adventure Park,” she says. “Select Contracts has made a commitment to work with local organisations to ensure there are jobs for locals.”
The report looks at the benefits that will arise during construction and the ongoing operation of the park. The information used by Martin Jenkins in their assessment was provided by Select Contracts NZ, and reviewed by PwC. The economic activity for construction is based on a one-year build time and for the operations, from the third year, to allow two years for the park to ramp up its business.
Mayor Mike Tana says MartinJenkins assessed that during construction the GDP impact for Porirua will be $8.3 million and for the Wellington urban area $13.7 million while creating 100 and 152 jobs respectively.
“The economic benefits during operations are also impressive with GDP expected to be $9.6 million for Porirua City and $9.3 million for Wellington annually. Jobs created at that time have been assessed at 147 for Porirua City and 171 for Wellington region.”
These results are more than expected previously due to indirect impacts as a result of businesses purchasing materials, good and services from supplier firms and the knock on effect this has for their suppliers, as well as the wider benefits to the visitor industry.
“Greater profits for businesses and extra jobs for our residents mean more money going back into the local economy. We’re excited about the Adventure Park and the economic growth it would create for our city and region.”
Mayor Tana says the Council has done its financial due diligence on the park and is finalising the details of the lease that will allow the park to operate on Rangituhi.
“We’ve been working with Select Contracts NZ on this project for three years, completing our due diligence, and negotiating the legal details of the lease for use of Rangituhi. It has cost roughly $290,000 which is not uncommon for projects as big as this. This work definitely shows the benefits will come back to Porirua in employment and business growth. And the Council will get some direct benefits as well through lease income.”
View the Economic Impact Assessment report (1.2MB pdf).
1 Aug 2018
