A survey of West Coast businesses shows that the loss of the Waiho Bridge is seriously impacting businesses throughout the Coast, not only those in the Fox and Franz Josef townships.

Development West Coast, Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Glacier Country Tourism Group have been working together to gather information on the impact of the recent flooding events and closure of the Waiho Bridge on West Coast businesses. Businesses across the region have been surveyed to gain a better understanding of the impact of these events.

The West Coast has been one of the fastest growing tourism regions in New Zealand with visitors injecting over half a billion dollars directly into the economy each year. Tourism is critical to the West Coast economy, and any major disruptions to visitor numbers will have a significant economic impact on the wider region.

It is critically important to maintain a long term and proactive focus on keeping the West Coast touring route open for business. Infrastructure solutions need to be well thought through and robust to address the extreme weather events the West Coast experiences.

The survey findings and recommended actions are being submitted to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Government assistance is being sought for the wider region, including support with marketing to help get visitors back, especially through the crucial Easter holiday season.

Despite the negative impact of the storm event, the national spotlight has shone brightly on Coasters and the amazing work they are doing to support each other, and the inspiring stories of West Coast ingenuity being demonstrated to ensure businesses remain open during this difficult time.

Recognition must also be given to the tireless work being done by the New Zealand Transport Agency and Army to build a new bridge. As a region we look forward to having the Waiho Bridge up and running again, so business can get back to usual for our thriving tourism industry.

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