Skip to main content

Residents and businesses are getting back on their feet

Local News Our Work
PUBLISHED: 23 OCT 2020

In response to Covid we released a $20 million package to help residents and businesses get back on their feet. See how locals have been benefiting from these measures.

Hospitality Big Jim’s Garden Café

We’ve dropped or slashed a huge range of fees and charges to provide much-needed help for local businesses hit by the Covid-19 downturn. We’ve cut the cost of doing business for cafes, restaurants and hairdressers as well as those planning to build a new home. Big Jim’s Garden Café manager Shani Benton says: “It’s provided a big boost and thanks to the Council for their help.”

Big Jams Garden Cafe Employee
home energy scheme

Home Energy Scheme 

We’ve been helping to keep tradies in work making residents’ homes warmer and greener thanks to the expanded Home Energy Scheme. The number of approved applications for low-cost loans trebled from July to September to 93 compared to 30 for the same time in 2019. Taranaki Solar director Tony Pope says: “NPDC has done a great thing in supporting local businesses.”

NPDC Community Groups Hearing Dog

Community Groups Hearing Dogs

Additional funding for the District’s community groups has been a lifeline to many organisations making a huge contribution to elderly or vulnerable people. Additional funding includes $8,500 for the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The charity’s general manager, Clare McLaughlin, says: “The money has helped Hearing Dogs to continue to exist and provide life-changing dogs for deaf people.”

heritage building

Main Street Buildings Fund

Some 11 building owners in New Plymouth, Waitara and Inglewood are on their way to seeing their properties get a makeover thanks to the Main Street Buildings Fund, helping to bring in shoppers and tenants. Property owner John Shewry says: “Many businesses have had a hard year this year, so it’s great to see NPDC helping to renew and reinvigorate our main streets.”