Mixed reaction to council's plan to sell Russell Wharf for $1

Strong debate about how Russell's wharf should be owned, developed and managed. Photo / File

A proposal to sell Russell Wharf for a dollar and turn it into a commercial-focused operation has not been well received by many locals.

In its Long Term Plan (2018-2028), the Far North District Council included a request from its commercial and facilities management arm, Far North Holdings (FNH), to transfer Russell Wharf to it for $1.

FNH wants ownership of the wharf and to access the $1.114 million Provincial Growth Fund money offered by Regional Development Minister Shane Jones to develop the facility.

It proposes increasing the wharf building's footprint and height, developing a cafe and i-Site visitor centre, and creating more pontoons and marina-style berths alongside the wharf.

The council has told ratepayers it supports the proposal to sell to FNH for $1 and remove the current and projected costs, saving ratepayers $93,000 in year one to $156,000 in year 10.

In putting its LTP out for comment, the council asked submitters to consider that preferred option or the other one, which was, more or less, no change. But the council may have been surprised at the public reaction.

Far North Mayor John Carter said that of 13 specific projects in the LTP, the one with most submissions was the Russell Wharf proposal - receiving 557 of a total 866 submissions.

The wharf transfer plan has been roundly criticised by many submitters who say the Russell community was not consulted about the matter, and that it has been ''bundled'' into the LTP rather than considered separately.

Many also object to the privatisation of a public amenity, the development of a ''quasi-marina'' and said a cafe with extra outdoor seating would encroach on pedestrian space and obstruct the movement of ferry passengers, fishers and other recreational wharf users.

Michael Beckett submitted in writing and in person against transferring the asset to FNH.

''My point of contention [is] that there should be a third option which is that it is retained in public ownership and we still get the $1.114m for an upgrade.''

Beckett said he strongly opposed the building on the wharf being enlarged. He said the building would loom higher on the horizon and encroach visually on a small bay highly regarded for its scenic value.

Some submitters, including the Russell Protection Society, voiced concerns the wharf and its entrance on The Strand needed careful management and design consideration because the land was a Heritage Precinct.

Also highly critical of a lack of consultation was the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club (BOISC) which is the wharf's biggest recreational user and an important feature of Russell's culture, heritage and history. At no point was the club consulted with over the plans, its submission said.

However, the BOISC approved the wharf's transfer to FNH — with several provisos, including careful design and management in keeping with the wharf's heritage nature.

The FNDC will make its decisions on the LTP in a May meeting, with the final draft due to be adopted on June 21.