Wednesday, 28 August 2024

 Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (14:49): (780) My constituency question is to the Minister for Environment. Iconic tourist attraction the Princess Margaret Rose Cave in Nelson has been closed for three years because of government mismanagement. I ask: what is the government doing to ensure the reopening of Princess Margaret Rose Cave at Nelson? The cave closed due to government mismanagement and the frustration the then business owners encountered in trying to work with the government. They walked away due to no job security and no future understanding of what the government was planning. The government has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the area, and it sits idle. This is one of several businesses that, due to government mismanagement of Crown land, have closed. The bait fishing business is gone. The canoe and boat hire business is gone, and in July the closure of the kiosk has had a significant effect not only on tourism but the local residents. The government needs to do all it can to ensure the reopening of Princess Margaret Rose Cave and grow the regional tourist numbers once again.