Marine Park, the proposed location of a marine research facility. Photo / George Novak
Marine Park, the proposed location of a marine research facility. Photo / George Novak
The future of a Tauranga public reserve now hangs in the balance of city commissioners who are expected to decide whether to reclassify Marine Park at Sulphur Point to enable the creation of a university base on site.
The move comes as part of an alternative attempt to establish theUniversity of Waikato marine research and education facility in the city after the first bid failed.
On Monday, commissioners will consider the proposal at a Tauranga City Council meeting. If approved, the reclassification would enable a public lease tender process but this would be conditional on community consultation.
In a report for the meeting, strategic investment and commercial facilitation manager Brigid McDonald and senior strategic advisor Gert van Staden said the council identified city-wide benefits and supported such a facility being established at Marine Park, the reserve.
However, primarily due to competing interests and views as to the most appropriate long-term use of the land earlier attempts were unsuccessful, McDonald and van Staden said.
Reclassification was needed to progress the plans.
"If the reclassification is confirmed, it is anticipated the University of Waikato will submit a lease proposal for a marine research and education facility through the tender process.
This council image from 2018 shows the Marine Park area and where the proposed facility is likely to be. Image / Supplied
"This process would be open to application from other entities which have an interest in, and which are able to demonstrate the capability of establishing and operating such a facility."
The idea for the proposed facility was first put forward in 2017, when the council investigated potential locations and eventually determined the Marine Park site most suitable.
In October 2018, the council approved in principle its intention to seek the revocation of the reserve status of a portion of the reserve. Such moves were needed as it was not possible to lease a recreation reserve for the facility's purpose.
The council applied for revocation but this was declined by the then Minister of Conservation. Reclassification is the alternative to allow the plans to go ahead.
If successful, reclassification would mean the subject site remains protected as a reserve, subject to the Reserves Act, and it would remain in council ownership.
McDonald and van Staden said the recreation reserve was underutilised and the facility would help create jobs and increase educational opportunities.
In 2018, Dave Molloy from Marine Diesel Services said he was "not too impressed" with the council's plan. These days, his view has not changed.
"It's a recreational area down there. It's well used by quite a few people.
"If you keep taking these up, there's going to be nothing left."
Marine Park, the location for a proposed marine research facility at Sulphur Point. Photo / George Novak
Molloy said he was surprised to learn of the council's second attempt towards establishing the facility and believed there would be plenty of opposition to the proposal from businesses like his in the area.
Others spoken to, but who would not be named, said they were not comfortable with the plans.
If commissioners approve the proposal, council staff will begin consultation with the community before a final decision is made at a later date.
Tauranga City Council meeting on Monday will also include:
- Annual reports for council-controlled organisations
