24 Sep 2008

Cook Islands Chamber of commerce welcomes Mangaia harbour plan

10:04 am on 24 September 2008

The Cook Islands chamber of commerce is welcoming the government's decision to fund Mangaia's harbour upgrade regardless of NZ Aid approval.

The Cook Islands government has formed an infrastructure committee with the aim of developing Rarotonga and the outer-islands more efficiently.

The committee says it's finished the design and plan of the Mangaia harbour, and the 2 million dollar project is expected to get underway next March - using local funds if needed.

The president of the chamber of commerce, Steve Anderson says the chamber is pleased something is finally being done.

"The Mangaia Harbour is really only a harbour so-called. It's very poor. It's no more really than a gap in the reef, very dangerous to work and it's a major bottle-neck for the local economy there so chamber is very glad to hear that it's finally moving forward. It would be great if NZAid could fund it but either way we're actually very pleased it's finally going to happen."

Steve Anderson says the outer-islands are depopulating at a furious rate and a lot of it's to do with the fact that infrastructure is not keeping pace with what the tourism industry demands.