Meetings to give Russell people a say on wharf developments

Russell folk will be asked what buildings they would like to see on their popular wharf, above.

Russell ratepayers are being asked to state their preferences for the proposed local public wharf improvement before a series of community meetings on the subject.

Far North Holdings Ltd (FNH) is asking residents to fill in question forms and give their names and addresses to ensure only local opinion is proffered.

Forms without a name and address will be discarded, as will multiple submissions from the same individual. The meetings will be at Russell Town Hall on July 5, at 11am, 3pm and 6pm.

''At the end of each meeting we will collect from you a completed survey form, if you wish to submit one,'' FNH said in its pre-meeting documentation.

''This will need to include your name and address so that we can be sure that we are polling the opinions of Russell people only.''

There will be an option for people who do not want to be identified to deliver their submission in person to a local real estate office after the meetings.

Of 568 submissions to the Far North District Council's Long Term Plan (LTP), 416 supported the transfer of ownership of Russell Wharf from FNDC to its commercial body Far North Holdings Ltd (FNH), while 152 opposed it.

The upcoming meetings will offer three building and development options for approval.

One is the already consented Option A which people have made submissions to in the LTP.

Participants in the upcoming survey will also be asked about the number of public bench seats and public toilets on the wharf, and options for Bay of Islands Swordfish Club weigh-station.

FNH said the objectives of the meetings are to outline existing plans and address misunderstandings, learn about valid local concerns and have an open discussion about them.

The company, the commercial arm of FNDC, would then seek ways to address concerns through a variation to the consented design.

The rationale for enlarging the building was to allow the operator of the information office kiosk to expand her business and increase the site's commercial viability, FNH said.

''The business as it stands today is marginal and [the owner] feels that the addition of a small food and beverage facility will ensure her ability to keep providing her core service as well as improve the overall level of service and amenity to all wharf users.''

People can submit questions before the July meetings to kylie@fnhl.co.nz. Design plans, survey questions and other documentation can be downloaded from http://www.fnhl.co.nz/community-meeting.