Latest news with #RegionalDeal
Scoop
4 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Otago Central Lakes Strategic Health Report Available To Public
Press Release – Southern Lakes Health Trust The Strategic Report identifies opportunities to increase public health services in Otago Central Lakes by partnering with the private sector to invest in services and infrastructure to benefit our region. The Otago Central Lakes [1] Health Services & Assets project has publicly released the Strategic Report sent to Minister of Health Hon Simeon Brown in February 2025. The work supporting the Strategic Report is a collaborative effort, led by Joseph Mooney, MP for Southland and involving Health New Zealand, Central Otago District Council. Queenstown Lakes District Council, rural health providers, iwi, including kaupapa Māori health providers, local MPs, and the community. 'We have a clear objective; to expedite planning and investment in health services and infrastructure in Otago Central Lakes,' Mr Mooney says. The Strategic Report identifies opportunities to increase public health services in Otago Central Lakes by partnering with the private sector to invest in services and infrastructure to benefit our region. 'As we have outlined to the Minister, this project is not asking for public funds but is seeking support to effectively progress the opportunities and initiatives we have put forward,' says Miles Anderson, MP for Waitaki and member of the project's Steering Committee. Mayors of Queenstown Lakes District Council and Central Otago District Council also sit on the Steering Committee. 'The Strategic Report aligns with the component of the Regional Deal proposal that QLDC and CODC are partners to, towards developing innovative approaches to the area's health system. We look forward to feedback and direction from the Minister of Health, Simeon Brown on the Strategic Report and how this will help inform work on a health needs assessment for the area,' says QLDC Mayor Glyn Lewers. '70 per cent of New Zealanders who live two or more hours from a hospital live in Otago Central Lakes. Our proposal will bring healthcare closer to our residents and help to reduce demand on our regions' base hospitals in Dunedin and Invercargill,' says CODC Mayor Tamah Alley. 'Our approach will lead to far more streamlined and effective healthcare for this rapidly growing population. We have presented a strong plan to improve things for our people,' says Steering Committee member and ACT MP Todd Stephenson. [1] 'Otago Central Lakes' = areas currently encompassed by Central Otago District Council and Queenstown Lakes District Council, including Queenstown, Arrowtown, Kingston, Glenorchy, Wanaka, Luggate, Lake Hawea, Cardrona, Cromwell, Clyde, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Ranfurly.
NZ Herald
04-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Northland a region ready for growth
These two major project announcements are part of the bigger picture for increasing Northland's growth and prosperity, all included within the Regional Deal proposed to central Government. Minister Mark Mitchell attended the Northland Civil Defence Forum last week at Semenoff Stadium, and commented on how well Northland councils and communities were working together, especially when disasters happen. This was shown through Cyclone Gabrielle, the Mangawhai tornado, the fires that attacked Waipoua Forest, and then with ex-Cyclone Tam. Northland as a community is great at getting in and working with those who can help, and those who need help. For me, one of the best things about living in Northland is how we just get on with things and work together to make things happen. When we see someone with a need, we go and deal with it. There's a lot of compassion and action up here – that no.8 wire mentality is still alive and kicking! It is now great to have central Government recognise that too. Our three mayors (Kaipara, Far North and Whangārei), and chair of Northland Regional Council started our term by spelling out what we needed for our region to grow, both economically and physically. It all started with agreeing on what our top 5 priorities were: Connecting Northland Northland as an economic hub Housing and associated infrastructure Infrastructure resilience with changing environment Local government as a 'trusted partner' with central Government We next needed to put those priorities to our business and hapū communities and encourage them to take ownership of these aspirations. The Northland Corporate Group and Chamber of Commerce have done just that. Bringing the councils together under one economic roof for Northland, via the Joint Regional Economic Development Group (JREDG) and Northland Inc., cemented the powerhouse that I knew Northland could be. A similar example of a powerhouse that we already have is within our Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group (CDEM), which looks after Northland during emergencies. The next big economic projects that can make huge differences to Northland's economy, which require central Government involvement, is developing a knowledge precinct in Whangārei, expanding Northport, building the drydock at Marsden Point, and setting up some regional economic zones. By attracting future investment, creating jobs, fostering innovation, strengthening infrastructure, and working together, we can build a brighter future for our whole region, and what central Government is enabling now is a great start to the growth of Northland. As mayor, I am committed to supporting these initiatives and ensuring that Northland reaps the full benefits of these projects.
