Self-help pays dividends for Russell

A unique partnership arrangement has been struck with business interests that may pave the way for an early start on a $362,000 refurbishment of the Russell wharf.

The refurbishment programme was in doubt until the Russell business community came to the party and offered to contribute $100,000 towards the work through a new charitable trust expected to be established over the next two to three weeks.

Under the arrangement reached with the Far North District Council last week, the new trust will have two years to pay off its capital contribution. In the meantime the council will raise a loan of $267,000 to enable the work to proceed in the 2011/12 financial year commencing 01 July. The balance of $95,000 will be funded from cash reserves for renewal work.

The proposed new trust will fund its share through donations and local fund-raising initiatives. The trust also plans to raise funds for extensions and repairs to the trailer boat launching facility at Russell and the construction of a children's playground.

The joint venture proposal is consistent with a policy to encourage communities to work with the council to share responsibilities and find self-help funding solutions to meet local requirements.

The Russell wharf is managed through an arrangement with the council's commercial trading arm, Far North Holdings Ltd.

The proposed work programme provides for improvements to the southern wing of the wharf including the provision of a pontoon to replace an existing low level landing, and repairs and upgrading work on the balance of the wharf structure.

Every effort will be made to have the work completed before an anticipated visitor influx for the Rugby World Cup later this year. However the timing of the work will be dependent on the tender process, the availability of contractors and progress through the Resource Consent process.