Labour says investing up to $20 million in a prefabricated house plant and associated infrastructure such as the port and road network will grow Gisborne’s economy and make its people better off.
“The plant will directly employ dozens of locals in high skill jobs and contribute to additional employment throughout the Gisborne community,” says Labour.
It says the Gisborne region is producing massive amounts of wood, most of which are sent overseas as raw logs. Adding value by processing the wood is carried out overseas, whereas it could be done locally creating jobs and wealth for the region.
According to Labour, prefabricated manufacture of houses has been proven in Australia and Europe to be an effective way to increase output and bring down costs.
It says the opportunity exists to marry Gisborne’s need for jobs and wood assets with the country’s need for more housing.
“This factory will help meet the growing demand for new houses in New Zealand, including supplying some of the houses needed for Labour’s KiwiBuild plan. KiwiBuild will construct 100,000 modern, affordable homes over ten years for sale, at cost, to first homebuyers,” says Labour.
“This investment will depend on a sound business case being presented and will match private or local government investment dollar for dollar up to $20m.”
