$20m plan to revitalise Paihia waterfront

Backers of a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the Paihia waterfront say the proposal will help the Bay of Islands compete with Queenstown as a tourist destination.
The project - the most extensive waterfront redevelopment programme ever initiated in the Far North - could cost well over $20 million.
The Far North District Council will seek funding from "a number of agencies" but acknowledges that ratepayers will almost certainly pick up part of the bill.
The project includes plans for artificial reefs to create more than 620m of breakwater and 325m of new beach. Fullers Bay of Islands general manager Mike Horne said the plans would boost Northland's tourism industry and make sure the region kept pace with Queenstown as a destination.
"I have quite a positive view of what I've seen. It's been planned rather than the ad hoc approach we've had in the past," Mr Horne said.
While the local tourist industry is backing the plan, local iwi and Federated Farmers have been quick to voice opposition.
Waitangi Marae environmental spokeswoman Emma Gibbs opposed the scheme, saying the council would be better off upgrading its sewerage system instead.
The council was criticised after a Waitangi pipeline leaked 2.5 million litres of sewage earlier this year.
"They're just looking at covering up their multitude of sins, and who is going to pay? My family, picking mussels off the rocks and getting sick," Ms Gibbs said.
The planned breakwaters could also affect tidal flows in Paihia and wahi tapu or sacred islands.
"Kayakers are already going onto the islands, fossicking and foraging around and there is nothing we can do," she said.
Northland Federated Farmers president Bill Guest said the plan showed an "element of madness in the council".
"It's an insult to the Maori people who can't gather shellfish and it's an insult to the oyster farmers who have had their farms closed since 2001," Mr Guest said.
Resource consent applications for the project have been filed by Far North Holdings Ltd, the commercial arm of the council, and follow 10 years of research and five years of consultation.
Far North Holdings chairman Malcolm Nicolson said the project was a massive undertaking which would require multi-agency funding. "It has been designed to enhance Paihia's reputation as the tourism gateway to the Bay of Islands and Northland," Mr Nicolson said.
Every effort had been made in the design to increase public space, minimise the visual impact of the breakwaters and make sure there were no downstream effects on adjoining beaches.
The proposed breakwaters were needed to restore the beach between the wharf and Nihonui Point (the Bluff), and provide long-term protection for the road and properties along the foreshore, he said.
Far North Holdings planned to stage the redevelopment as funding came to hand and it could take 10 years to complete.
Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharp said it was the biggest leap forward contemplated by any Far North community.
"It has the potential to be a real catalyst for Paihia and the Bay of Islands generally," she said.
Council spokesman Rick McCall said the council was already addressing infrastructure problems outlined by opposition groups. This included spending $3 million on Paihia's water supply and $8 million replacing faulty pipes.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:
• Artificial reefs to create 620m of breakwater.
• 325m of new beach between the Paihia wharf and Nihonui Pt.
• Dredging a new navigation channel to the Paihia wharf.
• 4000sq metres of reclamation for improved access, a helipad, landscaped areas, a promenade and seating.
• New boardwalks, viewing decks, walkways, shelters and seating.
• New commercial berthing facilities for tourism companies.
• 12 more berths for visiting craft.
• A new two-storey building for maritime businesses.
• A new caf?/restaurant and food kiosk.
• A war memorial in a courtyard.
• New public toilets.
• Re-development, landscaping and planting of the foreshore.
• A new visitor information centre and tour bus terminus.