Pontoons shipshape

WATERWISE: Whangarei Marina manager Brian Caulton (left) and Whangarei Marina Trust chairman Noel Douglas on the new concrete pontoon at the Town Basin. PHOTO/JOHN STONE

100 new berths also proposed by trust

A significant upgrade at Whangarei's Town Basin marina is complete.

The $350,000 replacement of old wooden pontoons and piles on the Riverside waterfront took about 3 weeks.

Marina manager Brian Caulton, who looks after 187 berths at the Town Basin and 109 at Kissing Point, says the pontoons, which were already about 25 years old when they arrived from Okahu Bay marina, in Auckland, about 20 years ago had reached the end of their useful life.

They have been replaced with concrete pontoons providing berths for 24 vessels.

The existing piles have also been replaced.

The upgrade is part of routine maintenance at the district council-owned facility which employs Mr Caulton as manager through the Whangarei Marina Management Trust.

The trust is also looking to meet a growing demand for boating facilities and has progressed plans for more berths downstream from Te Matau O Pohe bridge near Limeburners Creek on the west bank.

The marina has hit full capacity in recent years during peak times.

The trust is preparing a resource consent application and the main consideration is to consult with iwi.

"We are very mindful of any cultural considerations," Mr Coulton said.

If the application is successful, and the business case for the expansion stacks up, Mr Coulton hopes to see about 100 new berths established by October 2019.