Motuoapa Marina to be officially opened

The $6 million redeveloped Motuoapa Marina has been completed and will be officially opened this Saturday.

It's been 18 years in the making, but work to redevelop the Motuoapa Marina is finally complete.

The sod was turned to start the multimillion-dollar Department of Internal Affairs revamp in May 2016 and involved major earth and civil works to create 162 berths to accommodate larger vessels.

Fill from the earthworks has been used to reclaim land at the northern end of the marina to create a new picnic, recreation and parking areas, and the general public and boaties will have 24 hour access to enjoy the marina's enhanced environment.

Lake Taupo harbourmaster Philip King said it was incredibly exciting to be at the end of what had become a 18-year project.

"The original plans for the redeveloped marina were presented in 1999 before the first round of consultation took place 10 years later in 2009. The budget was approved by central government in 2011 and construction started in June 2016, so it's been a long journey to get here."

He said there were some interesting statistics relating to the project.

"Over 39,000 cubic metres of sediment was removed from the original marina basin and channel before being turned into over 5.5 acres of reclaimed land.

More than 150 truckloads of concrete was used to form the base of floating jetties, boat ramps, abutments and footpaths and 4km worth of sheet pile has been used for the marina retaining wall. We also saw Department of Conservation staff remove over 6000 pest catfish during the build, which were humanely disposed of and repurposed as fertiliser."

But Mr King said construction wasn't without difficulties.

A breach of a sea wall caused delays after the drained marina was significantly flooded, and soon after, thermal activity under the site put a stop to construction until testing could be completed.

In December a family of endangered black-billed gulls chose to nest in a gravel pile on site, which led Department of Conservation staff to work with Mr King and the construction team to ensure the birds were protected.

Now the marina is complete, the $6 million project will be officially opened with a community event on Saturday. Mr King said it was fitting to bring the community together to celebrate the end of such a key project for the local area.

"The vast majority of work was undertaken by local contractors who live and work within the Taupo region, as well as local members of the harbourmaster team, so it will be great to have everyone together one final time.

We've also had an incredible relationship with local hapu Ngati Hine, Ngati Rongomai and Ngati Te Rangiita, and the public has been with us on the whole journey. This is a chance to thank them for their support."

The community opening of the redeveloped Motuoapa Marina starts with a karakia at 12pm on Saturday, November 11 and runs until 3pm.