Apply for development cash, Southland told

Winston Peters. Photo NZ Herald

The money is there waiting - hurry up and get your applications in.

That was the clear message Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones delivered to Southland leaders in Invercargill last night.

The pair spoke at a dinner at the Ascot Park Hotel which was organised by Southland economic development agency Venture Southland.

Their presence in Invercargill prompted many Southlanders to consider what they might offer up the region in terms of funding packages.

Instead they gave Southland a hurry-up to state its case for a piece of the billion-dollar Provincial Growth Fund.

The Government has committed to investing $1billion a year in provincial New Zealand over the next three years. Southland has yet to see any of that.

''We can only work as fast as the business leaders and the civic leaders are willing to travel,'' Mr Jones said.

''I have taken a bit of whitewater, in terms of criticism, that we are spending too much in the North and not enough in the South Island. There is a substantial allocation that awaits the South Island.''

''I can promise you one thing, irrespective of the pace Southland moves at, every cent put aside in the coalition agreement, equalling $3billion, will be committed by the next election. So please Southland leaders, Southland identities, my advice is: don't let this opportunity slip by.''

Venture Southland chief executive Paul Casson indicated some applications for a slice of the fund are expected to be sent as early as tomorrow.

logan.savory@southlandexpress.co.nz