Mayor welcomes feasibility study for wood processing plant
24 September
Taupo District Mayor David Trewavas has welcomed news a feasibility study will be undertaken into developing a world-class wood processing facility in the district.
Economic development agency Enterprise Great Lake Taupo today announced Chinese-based Fenglin Group will undertake the study, due to be completed by early next year.
Mr Trewavas said if the mill progressed it could mean a $250 million investment for the district and the creation of about 250 jobs. The project would leverage the district's strengths in terms of access to wood, geothermal energy production and its central location, he said.
About half the logs that leave New Zealand have not had any value added and most of those go to China, said Mr Trewavas. This is potentially a multi-million dollar investment that will not only create employment opportunities but further strengthen ties with one of our country's largest trading partners.
Mr Trewavas he had taken the opportunity to meet with Fenglin Group on his visit to China earlier this month while there as part of the inaugural New Zealand China Mayoral Forum. The trip to China was a great opportunity to further explore trade and investment opportunities between the two countries and to be able to spend some time with the Fenglin team at their factory was a great experience, he said.
During the visit, Mr Trewavas also visited Taupo District sister city Suzhou and friendship city Shaoxing. Both our district and Suzhou have a strong focus on arts, heritage and culture and we discussed the possibility of a number of cultural and exhibition exchanges in addition to economic opportunities, Mr Trewavas said.
Mr Trewavas said Suzhou's Vice Mayor Lu Liusheng is planning on bringing a delegation to Taupo in November and they were looking to sign a memorandum for cooperation on a number of possible future projects during the visit. These included exhibition, cultural and education exchanges and the hosting of a sculpture from Suzhou in Taupo. He said the interaction had been really positive and he believed Suzhou's representatives were passionate about building on mutual opportunities.
Friendship city Shaoxing was also on the itinerary and representatives from the city plan to bring 1000 visitors from Shaoxing to Taupo to promote tourism off the back of Shaoxing company LJ Group New Zealand Limited's proposal to develop a property at Kinloch. Additionally there are plans for Taupo product to be stocked in a New Zealand store planned for Shaoxing.
An opportunity to take a delegation to Shaoxing and Suzhou in April or May next year was also being explored. This would be an opportunity for Taupo District businesses to build partnerships, exporting opportunities and potentially source product.
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Taupo District Council
www.taupo.govt.nz