Plans to build an 850-seat Riverside conference centre in Whangārei have been revived.

Photo: LDR / Northern Advocate

Last year the council refused to help pay for the Ōruku Landing project – originally pitched by private developers.

The government had committed $59 million in funding.

The designs have since been scaled back, and today the council agreed to give $3m for footpaths, stormwater and traffic upgrades.

The Prosper Northland Trust says the centre will spur $40m in visitor spending in the first five years.