Infrastructure Strategy yielding products. The Marlborough wine industry is predicting a 29% increase in land Viticulture area under grape cultivation by 2019/20. New Zealand’s wine exports continue to grow strongly, and appear on track to exceed Longer term, economic growth will be reliant on adding value to the raw primary the $2 billion mark within the next couple of years. This is significant for Marlborough products through manufacturing processes. In this respect the wine industry is well as the region produces 80% of the New Zealand total output. Vineyards now occupy ahead - turning their raw material into a high value product. Marlborough wine is 24,020 hectares of land in the region and in 2016 produced 323,290 tonnes of grapes. marketed as a high quality product and has achieved a premium status in international The statistics for 2016 show 1,368 people are marketplaces. employed in grape growing and another 1,104 in wine making. The industry is forecasting a 25% increase in production over the next five years, which will create jobs for an even larger workforce. There are a number of related infrastructure implications — • managing the additional liquid trade waste from the wineries, • increased stormwater runoff from changing land use to vineyards, • managing freshwater resources as demand increases for process and drinking water, • increased demands for flood protection as the value of the crop increases, • road traffic increases to transport both product and workers related to the industry. The viticulture industry employs a large and growing number of seasonal workers. Specialist residential accommodation is There are opportunities for aquaculture to increase the value of fish and seafood. The being provided and much of it is sited on pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries are also finding new markets for seafood- the outskirts of Blenheim. This creates based products. new demand at the edges of the water and wastewater distribution networks, which The timber industry has the opportunity to manufacture boards, milled timber, joinery was not anticipated at the time the and other timber products to lift the value of the logs that are currently exported. services were designed and installed. Marlborough has a well-established engineering industry and is a national centre for Tourism aircraft maintenance. The wine industry has attracted stainless steel fabrication, irrigation and wastewater processing and other production engineering. International and domestic visitors are a vital element of our economy due to the demand they create for local goods and services — accommodation, food and New industries using computers and the internet do not need to be located in close beverages, retail and transport. This sector is currently estimated to be worth $115 proximity to traditional markets in busy cities. Employees in these fields are choosing million to the local economy, and it is expanding rapidly as Marlborough’s unique to work remotely and some are relocating to Marlborough to take advantage of the climate and wonderful environment attract visitors from around the world. enviable lifestyle. 2018-2028 Long Term Plan Page 172