The newest initiative aimed to establish an engineering and manufacturing cluster to help local firms seize new opportunities and expand clientele base, as well as support the growth of Southland’s aquaculture industry.
"I think one of the messages we’ve received really firmly from the Southland community is they see as well as traditional industries like food and fibre, they see aquaculture as holding real potential for this region," Dr Woods said.
"Southland is really identifying what the opportunities are for Southland into the future."
The money had been supplied in order to achieve practical outcomes rather than further studies or industry pilots.
The announcement came following Thursday’s Budget announcement of $100 million to support Southland’s burgeoning green hydrogen industry.
Just Transition was a comprehensive collaborative initiative developed to ensure the region continued to thrive regardless of Tiwai Aluminium Smelter’s future.
Southland District Council mayor Rob Scott said any money that came back into Southland was good.
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark said it was good to see the province get ongoing support from the Government for the Just Transition unit.
"I’m really pleased with that $8 million. Sure the $100 million was great as well. But that gives the initiative for the private sector to come into the use of hydrogen. So I’m really pleased with those two announcements," Mr Clark said.
"Regardless of what happens with Tiwai versus hydrogen, we still have quite a bit of transition going and it’s helped us maintain that momentum and drift towards aquaculture, which is huge growth area.
"That growth around [the] seaweed [industry] has the potential for climate change as well."
There was huge potential in Southland for the industry, especially when seaweed supplements fed to cows could reduce methane by 85% worldwide, he said.
The additional funds would go a long way towards helping to co-ordinate what he affectionately called "Southland Inc" — which was bringing the big players into the overall structure.
By Toni McDonald
