All three Eastern Bay districts are to receive a combined 56.5 million dollars further provincial growth funding, following multiple announcements in the region.

The sum has been announced by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, after he visited all three of the districts on Friday.

The largest portion of the funding will go to Opotiki, which gets about $26m funding to use on important upgrades of public amenities and to further progress on aquaculture opportunities.

Whakatane also receives a large portion with $23m going into several Eastern Bay of Plenty flood protection projects, namely the Rangitāiki Floodway project, which will allow local communities to address long-standing flood risks and provide jobs.

Kawerau also receives $5.5m with some going to the Waiū Dairy Limited Partnership and another portion also going to Plateau Compost which is expanding its worm farming operation.

Other funding announced for the wider Bay of Plenty includes $5m going to Kaingaroa Village to help fund an upgrade of its infrastructure, facilities and housing and $18m going to the Rangiuru Business Park project near Te Puke.

Source: Radio 1XX News