17 April 2019

Government funding for the Marlborough District Council’s Smart Services project has been welcomed by Mayor John Leggett as a major step towards all of the region becoming more prosperous and sustainable under Council’s Smart+Connected framework.

Mark Patterson MP, on behalf of Fletcher Tabuteau, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development, today announced the Smart Services project, which will see all Marlborough Sounds marine farms connected to sensors to report live environmental data, is among several top of South projects that are receiving support from the Provincial Growth Fund.

John Leggett says Council and ratepayers will also gain from such Smart Services through improved regulatory, resource consent and compliance monitoring capability.

“Council has also contributed $150,000 from reserves to this project. This is helping bring together the Business Case for a wider application to the PGF for delivery funding and Council is looking for contributions from marine farmers and others who will benefit from having Smart Services across the Sounds.”

Mr Leggett said there will also be much wider benefits.

“These will include all the ferries, vessels and boaties whom the Harbourmaster provides navigational and other maritime services to in the Sounds.

“DOC will be able to better manage visitors in the Sounds especially in well-visited places like the Queen Charlotte Track as well as doing species monitoring and keeping an eye on marine reserves. Many other Government agencies including those managing science, research, environmental, marine and other services will also benefit from having Smart Services,” said Mr Leggett.

The Council plans to complete its Business Case and an associated Request for Proposal to potential Smart Services suppliers in June and providing overall funding is confirmed, to have the first marine farms, Harbourmaster and DOC sites operational by August 2020.

This is the first stage of Smart Services project.

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