Boat building project gets launched

Hutcheson Boat Builder's Don Mattson (left) and Western Work Boats' Sean Kelly have sunk a lot of energy into ensuring that Tauranga's new Marine Precinct is a success. Photo / George Novak

A new era in the history of Tauranga boat building and refits cannot happen soon enough for one of the city's business success stories.

The official launch of the $10.4m project to build a marine precinct in Sulphur Point featured a who's who of council and marine business leaders including Sean Kelly of Western Work Boats.

Mr Kelly has taken a big interest in the joint council's project to resurrect an industry crippled by the closure of the 600-tonne slipway seven years ago.

He said the creation of the Marine Precinct on the 3.5ha block of council-owned land between Sanfords and the Harbour Bridge was fundamental to the future of his business.

"If we don't have the facilities we need we will have to leave town. Whangarei and Nelson would love to have us," he told the Bay of Plenty Times after the guided tour of the site led by project manager Phil Wardale.

The marine contracting business that provided offshore work boats, crew and services had grown from two full-time workers in 2009 to 20 staff, five boats and a barge, with an annual turnover of $4m to $8m.

Although he was based on the block, Mr Kelly said the growth of his business had made it increasingly difficult and he was looking forward to the development of the precinct so that he had his own shore-side facilities.

Mr Kelly and Hutcheson Boat Builders owner Don Mattson helped convince the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to contribute $5 million towards the development costs of the precinct, centred on groundworks and the purchase of a boat travel lift capable of hauling out vessels weighing more than 200 tonnes.

"Together, we got the message across to these guys," Mr Mattson said.

His boat building company currently occupied a building and adjoining areas on the site and he said they needed stability and surety.

"I guess that will come once the Marine Precinct is up and running."

A major emerging project was Hutcheson's involvement in the production of sleek Elliott Evo Sport pleasure boats.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby spoke about the city's maritime history and how the precinct would be pivotal in stopping the decline of the boat building and refit industries.