Editorial: Swimming beach plan good idea

The Interisland ferry in Picton Harbour.

I spent a fantastic long weekend celebrating a family birthday in a beautiful part of the South Island - Marlborough.

The family and I caught the ferry across on Thursday and returned on Monday. Marlborough is not dissimilar to our region, with some breathtaking scenery and magnificent wineries.

What struck me, though, is just how many tourists there were everywhere. I know we get quite a few but it seemed to me that just about every second person on the ferry was a foreigner.

Now I know that Picton is the gateway to the South Island but it did make me envious to see what the tourist dollar is doing for that region.

It also raises an interesting question. How do we get tourists to divert off SH1 to visit Hawke's Bay? We know we have the best region and climate in the country and our events are top class but how do we lure the tourists on their way to the South Island?

There are many things tourists can do when they get here. Our cycleways are some of the best in the country, our wineries need no talking up, our cities have much to offer and our scenery, especially from Te Mata Peak, is spectacular - but we need that extra something.

I have often heard people lament the lack of a good swimming beach along Marine Parade, which is why the proposal by local businessman Will van Asch to transform part of the beachfront into a sandy beach lagoon is worth looking into. Mr Van Asch believes it could be built for $2 million and has the potential to stimulate the economy by up to $30 million. He plans to submit the proposal at the Napier council's Long-Term Plan and Annual Plan Meeting tomorrow

Let's hope the council gives it some serious consideration.