The Gore District Council has submitted 10 'shovel ready' projects, with the combined pricetag of $50 million, to the government for consideration. 

At the beginning of April, Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones asked the public and private sector to submit projects that were ready to start construction within six months, to stimulate the economy and reduce the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

No shovel ready projects are guaranteed to be accepted or approved for funding by government, however, Gore District Council chief executive Steve Parry said the GDC was in an "advantageous position" as a number of projects that had been submitted had been in planning for a several years and were on the "brink of execution," meaning they were ready to go and fit well within the requirements of "shovel ready".

Mr Parry said senior council staff had worked intensively for more than a week, including the Easter period, on developing compelling applications to give the council the best possible chance of securing some funding. 

Ten projects, with a total value of $50 million, had been submitted.

These range from $23 million for upgrades to the district’s drinking water infrastructure, to $1 million for the Gore Multisports Complex to replace the event centre roof, put new roofing over the plant room and reception area, and improve ventilation in the plant room.

The $23 million water treatment and reservoir upgrades had already been on the council's list of priorities for a while and included three main water projects; replacing the Hilbre Avenue reservoir and a pipeline between Gore and Mataura, renewal of a 1.8km section of water main pipe in Wigan Street at a cost of $5 million, and $3 million in funding for the Elizabeth Street stormwater separation project.

The Gore District Council has applied for $6 million in funding for the upgrade of its Civic Administration building. Work has just restarted during Alert Level 3, but the government accepts applications for projects that have already started, as well as 'shovel ready', so the GDC took the opportunity to apply for funding. 

It also applied for $10 million in funding for the The Manaaki Eco Village project, which is now back on the council agenda after being turned down twice for funding from the Provincial Growth Fund last year.

$1.5 million was requested for the Matai Ridge subdivision in East Gore.

It had also applied for $5 million to go towards an upgraded library. The library has been operating from the James Cumming Wing since May last year when black mould and asbestos were discovered in the library building.

The council also requested $1 million to complete the East Gore Art Centre project, and $2 million to get ahead on the next two stages of the Tulloch Park redevelopment at Mataura.

Mr Parry said all projects provided employment opportunities, to varying degrees, during construction and, in many instances, once completed. 

The Infrastructure Reference Group, supported by the Crown Infrastructure Programme, was now reviewing all submitted 'shovel ready' projects to determine which are suitable for inclusion in a report to be considered by the Government.