Downside of 'phenomenal' West Coast tourism growth

Wednesday, 28 December 2016

West Coast tourism has grown at a 'phenomenal' rate, putting pressure on a creaking infrastructure funded by a small group of ratepayers.

About 850,000 tourists had visited the region in eight months since April, spending $420 million.

Numbers are expected to soar well beyond 1 million a year, prompting calls for more government spending on infrastructure and private investment in small businesses including shops, accommodation and services.

An action plan on ways to boost the West Coast economy – from tourism to agriculture – would be released to the public in February.

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Behind this plan is West Coast economic development manager Kevin Stratful, who said there was 'huge opportunity' for smaller businesses to get started in the region.

'The cost of entry for an investment is so low here. $1m won't get you anything in Auckland but it would get you a hell of a lot here,' he said.

Stratful said the region had seen 11 per cent growth in tourism – significantly more than the 7 per cent recorded nationwide.

Visitor numbers were forecast to rise to 1.3m by 2025 with a spend of $1 billion.

Stratful said he was talking to the Government about funding to develop the infrastructure needed to cater for growing visitor numbers.

But the Coast also needed people prepared to invest in a business.

'We need to be ready with the right accommodation and services. There's a huge opportunity for retail.'

The key to successful economic development was not only tourism but a diverse range of small and medium businesses, he said.

'We need to put the word out there that we are feeling confident and they will get a return on that investment.'

UNDERPASS FOR PUNAKAIKI?

Punakaiki desperately needed development. 'We want to force people to stay the night, to do that you need to build a hotel,' Stratful said.

'One million people cross the State Highway at Punakaiki. How someone hasn't been killed I don't know. It needs an underpass.'

A potential waste-to-energy plant in Buller costing $300m had a 'real chance of coming off', he said.

Patrick Volk, who owns three businesses in Punakaiki including the Pancake Rocks Cafe and a backpackers, said he was busier than ever.

'The West Coast is getting explored now. We are an unspoiled area and that is rare in the world. While we are special, while we are unique, while we have tracks and walks and rainforests it is our big chance,' he said.

He welcomed plans to develop Punakaiki including a proposed hotel and underpass as well as more car parks and toilets.

Volk said Punakaiki needed more investment to cope with growing demand particularly when the new Pike 29 Great Walk from Blackball to Punakaiki opened in 2018.

'There is already a big demand and it is just going to get bigger.

'We don't just need more commercial accommodation but more residential areas for workers to deal with this demand. It's hard to find accommodation for my workers and I don't want it to be like Queenstown where people get jobs but have nowhere to live.'

He was disappointed the Buller District Council rejected pleas ban freedom campers. 'We have 450,000 visitors and only 30 ratepayers. People are sleeping in gardens and making a mess. It's crazy.

'Punakaiki is the jewel in the crown of West Coast tourism but no-one is taking care,' he said.

NEW START

Stratful moved to the West Coast from the Bay of Islands in February to be closer to family. 

His role is paid for by the West Coast Regional Council and Tourism West Coast.

'Before I started I stood on street corners in a T-shirt. I looked like a tourist. I asked really dumb questions like 'why do you live here?' and 'why would someone move here from the Bay of Islands?'.

'What I got from that was the feeling that people knew there was a need for change. The economy was moving from coal and dairy [but] to what they didn't know. They were also really worried about their families and children moving away for education and jobs,' he said.

One of his first tasks was to change the branding of Tourism West Coast to promote it as a region of untamed natural wilderness'.

His previous roles included Lion Nathan NZ managing director, Freightway managing director, and Telecom chief operating officer

He fell in love with the Coast on the drive from Christchurch.

'As soon as we passed Arthur's Pass that was it – we were hooked. I should have been here 20 years ago. Look at this place. It's staggering,' he said.

ACTION PLAN OUT IN FEBRUARY

A Government study into how the West Coast economy could be boosted was released in September and Stratful has been involved in turning the study into an action plan.

'The final plan will be ready in early February. It covers tourism, broadband, infrastructure, stewardship land, horticulture, agriculture,' he said.

His goal for 2017 was to keeptourists on the Coast longer.

'People come up from Queenstown, visit the Glaciers and Punakaiki and they're gone. 

'We want to develop more must-see attractions. We plan on marketing the Hokitika Gorge and the Oparara Arches in Karamea.'

The Coast Road was voted the ninth best coastal drive in the world.