Marina users stoked with council’s decision

Sulphur Point’s Marine Park recreation reserve.

Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club and Sulphur Point marina operators are delighted with the city council’s decision to look into a Marine Park site for the University of Waikato’s planned marine research centre, rather than the initially proposed location adjacent to the Tauranga Sport Fishing Club within the marina precinct.

Tauranga Marina Society, the yacht club and other marina users were unhappy with the original plan, concerned about the loss of green space and congestion in the marina area, and made strong submissions to the council expressing their concerns.

Now, as SunLive reported yesterday, councillors have agreed to assess a site at the Marine Park recreation reserve on the western side of Sulphur Point for the university’s research base.

Yacht club spokesperson, former commodore Nick Wrinch, is pleased with the decision.

“We feel the right decision has been made. There’s obviously a lot of water to pass under the bridge as yet but we’re happy.”

Very little information on the original proposal was provided to marina users, Nick says, making it difficult for them to be supportive. Their concerns included the potential size of the university’s building, the numbers of staff and students, the effect on carparking, and loss of use of the space for marina users.

“The area is needed for the Game Fishing Club. If it’s lost to the club it’s going to have a serious impact on it and its future viability.

“It was just the wrong site we felt.

“We appreciate the fact that the councillors have listened, and have taken on board our concerns.”

Nick says the issues for marina users were solely around its location, not the facility itself.

“We are all really supportive of this university. We are not anti the university. We’re all harbour users - we all want to see a good healthy sustainable harbour.”

Nick is keen to see a more holistic plan developed for Sulphur Point.

“I think there is potential to use that space far more efficiently.

“What has come out of all of this is the fact there needs to be a more coherent plan for the whole of Sulphur Point – not just for the next few years but for the next 10 – 20 years. We need to know where we’re going and how we can use our space, and what will be the best for all concerned.

 “I think it’s quite exciting. Sulphur Point is such a jewel in the crown for Tauranga - we’re so lucky to have it. We want to get the best out of it for everybody.”

Marina Society manager Greg Prescott is also happy with the council’s new approach.

“I think it’s good news. Certainly good news for us, and I think it’s good news for the University of Waikato as well. There’s still a bit of a process to work through but everybody seems to be in support of it, so that’s a good thing.”

Greg believes the Marine Park location is a better fit not just for the research facility but also for the marina and its potential expansion plans.  He’s pleased the council has factored their vision into its thinking.

“Some of the councillors have said that whole area needs to be set up in such a way that if the marina expansion went through it could be accommodated.

“The whole area must be laid out in such a way that it caters for marine users, and everybody as a community must be engaged in what goes on there.

“It must be a hub for the community, not just the marina, or a university or a boatramp.”


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