$10m marine hub for Tauranga

Artist impression of Tauranga's new marine Hub. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

A new era in the history of boat building and refits in the Bay was launched today when local government officials were given a guided tour of the prime harbourfront block that will be transformed next year into the Tauranga Marine Precinct.

The city's mayor Stuart Crosby and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman Doug Leeder were among the guest speakers at what was mostly still a dusty patch of land in Sulphur Point, between Sanfords and the Harbour Bridge.

Mr Crosby highlighted the $5m contribution from the regional council to the $10.4 million joint venture initially centred on groundworks and the purchase of a boat travel lift capable of hauling out vessels weighing in excess of 200 tonnes.

"Without the support of the regional council we would not be standing here today," he said.

Mr Crosby spoke about the city's proud maritime history and how the Marine Precinct would be pivotal in stopping the decline of the boat building and refit industries.

He acknowledged the assistance of economic development organisation Priority One in planning for the precinct and the collaboration with the private sector.

A key element of the council's $5.4m share of the project - land sales and leases within the precinct and across the road - had been successful.

Mr Crosby said the councils wanted to create an environment where skills could be developed and trades people brought back to Tauranga.

The Marine Precinct has moved into the implementation phase, with the work being driven by the newly-appointed project manager Phil Wardale.

Mr Leeder said the precinct was expected to bring in extra revenue of $24m to $25m a year and 130 full-time jobs by 2022-23.

He said it was a laudable project that fitted strategies for the harbour and the port including the Bay Connections economic development strategy. Mr Leeder said he wanted to see concrete starting to be poured on the site sooner rather than later.

Sean Kelly of Western Work Boats spoke about the importance of the precinct in keeping his rapidly growing business based in Tauranga.