The future rejuvenation of the north-east rests on successful cooperation across the region, the council’s deputy leader has said.
Last week, Aberdeenshire Council approved a £5.5million investment in the overhaul of the city port and development of Nigg Bay.
Both are part of the ambitious city region deal, agreed last year, supported by both the Shire and city authorities.
The package, which is estimated to be worth about £826million over 10 years, is made up of investment from the Scottish and UK Governments, both councils, universities and the private sector.
Deputy leader Peter Argyle has said the days of petty squabbling over who should benefit from national investment should be consigned to the past.
The Aboyne councillor said: “It is designed to design and improve the economy of the north-east.
“If the economy of the north-east goes down the tubes then everybody in the region suffers.
“We’re all working to deliver the city region deal for the benefit of the region as a whole – that will benefit people in St Cyrus, Fraserburgh, Inverurie every bit as much as it will help the city.
“When we had the discussion around the investment we are putting into the wider Aberdeen Harbour, Nigg Bay project, there was no doubt in my mind that money – which is a tiny percentage of the cost of the project – will be of benefit to people here.
“We have to get away from the idea of drawing lines in maps and saying ‘you can’t put money on this side of the line, I don’t know why but you can put it on this side’ it’s nonsense, it’s an absolute fallacy, it’s a regional project and will benefit everyone.”
Council leader Jim Gifford added: “What’s good for the city is good for Aberdeenshire and vice -versa. Both governments wouldn’t have given us the money if this didn’t benefit the whole region.”
The deal, which business leaders have said could spark an economic “renaissance” in the region, was signed in November.
It is estimated 3,300 jobs could be generated by the investment.
