Tiniroto Road Erosion
A plan to build a new “village” in Gisborne for 150 out-of-town road and construction workers recruited to help the post-Cyclone Gabrielle rebuild has raised questions and concerns.
The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) Alliance was set up in July to plan, organise and deliver much of the recovery and rebuild work needed on the highway and rail networks in conjunction with local businesses and contractors.
Alliance members include Waka Kotahi, KiwiRail, Downer, Fulton Hogan and Higgins.
Yesterday, Radio New Zealand reported TREC planned to create two new “villages” for staff recruited from out of town in both Napier and Gisborne.
Responding to further questions from The Gisborne Herald, a spokesman for TREC said “early planning” for two TREC accommodation villages was under way.
“They will potentially house around 150 people each. These are in the early planning stages and we will have more detail available as the planning progresses. We will be working with the relevant councils and community as planning progresses.
“Transport Rebuild East Coast remains committed to ensuring local companies, roading contractors, and staff are heavily involved in TREC’s projects and the work throughout the East Coast. We know how crucial it is to minimise pressures on the local labour market and the local housing market and having our ‘local first’ philosophy minimises these pressures, utilising the skills and expertise of people who already live in the region.
“While the local workforce are first priority, we are mindful there are also other recovery programmes on the East Coast which we need to complement and not inadvertently compete with for a limited talent pool.
“The recovery and rebuild programmes are very large, and they will need additional support, skills and expertise.
“In addition to our two contracting hubs in Napier and Gisborne with a smaller hub at Wairoa, there are also hubs in Christchurch and Auckland for additional design/commercial and support services teams for work that can be done remotely to support local teams. We will do this not only as this is where the capacity exists, but it also avoids unnecessary travel, accommodation and relocation costs which would place unwelcome inflationary pressures on the local East Coast market.”
At present about 80 people are working for TREC here, some of whom have been seconded from alliance partners and others who have been recruited from other organisations.
Another 80 people will begin with TREC, which has established an administration hub on Gladstone Road, from later this month.
More than half of the people recruited are local, with 200 working across the group.
However, the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce has concerns.
“Contractors are concerned with the recruitment process,” chamber president Tessa Allan said.
“TREC contractors were advised that using local contractors and their workers was a priority. Recent advertisements in the Herald have raised concerns that this process may impact them directly, losing staff in the process, potentially affecting their ability to tender for some of the works in the future.
“Contractors from out of town are noticeably present in the region. Is it guaranteed local contractors will be getting the work before those from out of the region?
“In regard to the new proposed accommodation to house 150 contractors, it’s great for the economy and for our housing crisis.
“However, our health care system in the region is already struggling and the majority of our GP practices are not taking on new patients. This will put pressure on our emergency department and hospital, already at breaking point.
“Also, if we look at Kaikōura and the issues they had, it would be wise to learn from that, consulting our community and raising any concerns.”
https://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/news/alliance-keen-to-recruit-locals