Choppers, float planes part of $5.6m CBD plan

By JOHN COUSINS
Commercial helicopter flights will become a feature of Tauranga's downtown waterfront in updated plans to replace Coronation Pier with a $5.6 million floating commercial development and 19-berth finger pier.
Two helipads have been added to the proposed development between Kestrel owner Mark Scapens and the Tauranga City Council, which will transform the old navy barge moored at the wharf beside the Harbour Bridge.
Mr Scapens told the council's waterfront development steering group yesterday that the helipads had attracted strong interest from commercial operators.
And Volcanic Air Safaris want to operate a float plane service from the waterfront along an existing float-plane flight path.
The helipads were welcomed by Cr Bob Tulloch as a good idea that would add vibrancy to the waterfront.
However Mr Scapens cautioned that Devonport Towers apartment dwellers were the most likely to object to the helicopters.
The steering group supported the addition of the helipads into a new planning application to be lodged in about a month's time with Environment Bay of Plenty.
The council decided to issue a fresh planning application after withdrawing the consent lodged five months ago on the grounds that it failed to give the full picture. The old consent also did not include helipads and was lodged before final architectural details had been "bedded in".
The revised application will include helipads placed at either side of the seaward finger pier - nearly 100 metres away from the site of the proposed museum.
The helipads will add 30 metres to the finger pier, extending its length to 105 metres. Project manager John Scott said there would be little structure to the finger pier and helipads, being nearly dead flat.
The concourse along one side of the converted navy maintenance barge has been widened to 10.6 metres - split between public open space, cafe outdoor seating and activities such as kayak or jet-ski hire.
Two helipads were needed to maximise the number of commercial operators able to use the pier and make the services economical.
Operators have indicated they were prepared to see the $150,000 cost to build the helipads reflected in their leases. Approach and departure flight paths would be over water and away from the waterfront reclamation and were not expected to be an issue with Civil Aviation.
The converted barge will sit behind the Edgewater Restaurant, although the concourse and finger piers will be visible looking down Wharf St. The restaurant's lease expires on June 30.
Cr Terry Molloy urged planners to work in with submitters because the more activities taking place along the waterfront the better.
Mr Scapens said the colour of the building had not been decided. It was envisaged the gate across the entrance to the pontoon would be closed between 11pm and 6am.
Assuming there were no planning appeals, the project could be finished by February. The old pier would be demolished in August, assuming all went well with a separate demolition resource consent. A third consent was needed to dredge along The Strand waterfront.