Ratepayers fund boat yard restoration
A dilapidated boatyard on Auckland’s waterfront will be restored using $4.7 million of public money.
Auckland Council controlled organisation Panuku Development is working to revive the 1937 Vos yard, Auckland’s last standing wooden boating building facility.
In July 2015 Auckland Council agreed to contribute $2.3m provided Panuku could work with a private trust and raise $2.4m to pay for a $4.7m restoration and redevelopment.
However, difficulties establishing a trust, not enough private contributions and escalating costs meant the sum wasn’t achieved.
A Panuku spokesperson told councillors in Auckland Council’s performance and finance committee last week that the building was in such a state of disrepair, including asbestos contamination, its future was uncertain unless immediate work was undertaken.
Due to the deteriorating condition of the building Panuku committed the remaining $2.4m from its own budget, meaning restoration of the boatyard required no external funding.
Despite this councillors were concerned with the increased costs.
Finance and performance committee chairman Ross Clow said Panuku would struggle to get any more investment from council to work on the latter stages of the development.
‘‘It's not flash, it's not meant to be, that's the way folks like it.’’ Mike Lee.
However, he backed restoring it, and said it would be an essential addition to the waterfront especially with the America’s Cup likely to take place in Auckland.
‘‘It would be a shame if we didn’t back this and then bowled it. It would be a travesty,’’ Clow said.
Councillor Mike Lee said it was vital for Auckland’s maritime heritage.
‘‘It’s a key space on the waterfront,’’ Lee said.
‘‘It’s not flash, it’s not meant to be, that’s the way folks like it.’’
Stage two of the development would cost an additional $1.8m, and would include a workshop with an operating slipway, taking the total development to $6.4m.
Opportunities to establish a base for carving apprenticeships and waka building, originally part of the 2015 plan, would also be delayed until a later stage.
Work was expected to be completed by the middle of 2018.