Tony Kokshoorn welcomes $140m govt funding for West Coast

The West Coast is set to benefit from a major cash injection from the Provincial Growth Fund. The government has announced a $140 million package focused largely on tourism and economic development. Projects being funded include a TranzAlpine rail upgrade, improved visitor facilities at Punakaiki, a garnet mining venture, and a hi-tech milk-segregation project at Westland Milk Products. Better internet access and cellphone coverage are also on the way, with funding for a fibre loop between Fox Glacier and Lake Hawea, fibre connection into Milford Sound and mobile network improvements. Tony Kokshoorn is the Mayor of Grey District Council.