Marine Precinct site visit by councils and industry representatives.
The Tauranga Harbour Marine Precinct project has hit several major milestones over the past week.
On Wednesday, Tauranga City Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council signed an agreement providing $5 million of funding to the Marine Precinct through the Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Project director Phil Wardale said he was pleased to see a number of components fall into place.
"Signing of the funding agreement with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council gives us the assurance we needed to enter into a contract with a supplier for the travel-lift, and consequently to open the tender for the sale of Stage 1 lots within the Marine Precinct.
"We are also progressing the civil works part of the project and have issued a request for tender to the six shortlisted contractors. It's all go!"
Tauranga City Council have confirmed the acquisition of a travel-lift capable of lifting vessels of 350 tonnes and up to 12m wide, instead of the 200 to 300 tonne machine initially sought. The Tauranga Harbour Marine Precinct will be equipped with the largest travel-lift in New Zealand.
Mayor Stuart Crosby said this was excellent news for the precinct and its future occupiers.
"We are very excited about the opportunities that this opens us up to", he said.
"We were already proud to be leading the development of a leading-edge facility able to revitalise the regional marine industry. This makes it even better.
"It opens the door to even larger commercial vessels, inner-harbour fast ferries and the likes - and will provide unique business opportunities to the companies that decide to set up shop at the precinct."
Cimolai Technology, an Italian company, won the tender process to supply the travel-lift. The machine's parts will be built at their premises in Carmignano di Brenta, north-west of Venice. The parts will then be shipped to New Zealand in containers, for final assembly at the Marine Precinct.
The increased capacity travel-lift was procured within the initial total project budget of $10m.
Mr Wardale said four international companies participated in the tender and provided a variety of machine configurations and sizes.
"Cimolai Technology was selected as the preferred supplier due to their willingness to propose intuitive alternatives to council, along with very competitive pricing for the preferred machine."
A tender process is now open for the sale of eight lots within Stage 1 of the Marine Precinct's development. The tender will run until December 21.
Throughout the past year, 40 marine-related companies expressed their interest in the acquisition of freehold sites at the precinct.
The tender process will be managed by Tauranga law firm Cooney Lees Morgan. Consideration will be given to the tender price offered by submitters, but also to the expected growth of their business within the precinct, and the employment opportunities they will provide.
The submissions to the tender process will close before Christmas and it is expected the sale of Stage 1 lots will be announced early in the new year.
About the Marine Precinct project
The Tauranga Harbour Marine Precinct is a $10m project to deliver a purpose-built marine servicing facility at Sulphur Point. The precinct will provide a base for boat building and refit businesses in Tauranga City and will be managed by Tauranga City Council under the Vessel Works brand.
By late 2016 (stage 1 development), the precinct will include lots in a range of sizes for marine businesses, a 6200-square metre vessel storage area (hardstand), deep-water marina berths for large vessels and New Zealand's largest vessel hoist (350-tonne haulage capacity and extra-wide).
Further development (more lots, extension to the hardstand) will be undertaken in stages, based on demand from the industry.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is the funding partner for the Marine Precinct project, contributing $5 million through the Regional Infrastructure Fund. Tauranga City Council's $5 million contribution will be partially offset by the sale of properties on and near the site.