Port Tarakohe proposal tweaked
A reworked multimillion-dollar proposal to redevelop Port Tarakohe looks set to go to Tasman District Council for approval on August 29.
Before that, though, the potential funding for the project is due to be discussed behind closed doors at a workshop.
Council strategic policy manager Sharon Flood on Monday told a hearing panel that the workshop would be ‘‘where we decide what will be part of the PGF [Provincial Growth Fund application], what will council fund or what will be contributed by the marine farming industry’’.
Her comments came during day two of the hearing panel’s deliberations on the proposal to redevelop the council-owned port and the draft business plan, taking into consideration 162 submissions received by the council about the project.
The draft business plan was largely funded by the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund as part of a $6.4 million investment in a top of the south ocean package.
That same fund looks likely to be tapped for a grant of more than $28m for the proposed upgrade of the port, which has been driven by the expected growth of the mussel industry – from about 8000 tonnes to about 40,000 tonnes a year over the next 10 years.
Many of the submissions received on the proposal supported the establishment of an environment precinct along the western arm of the port to help protect its little blue penguin population. A shorebird nesting sanctuary at the far end of the breakwater has also been suggested.
Some submitters said the area could become an eco-tourism attraction for Golden Bay.
The panel members on Monday were presented with a revised plan for the port, which showed fences to prevent uncontrolled public access to the area earmarked as a possible environment precinct.
Though there was little detail about the precinct, hearing panel member and Golden Bay Community Board chairwoman Abbie Langford said she believed it would be important to note that ‘‘we are planning for the future and looking forward to eco
‘‘There’s a lot of people passionate about this (environment precinct).’’
Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne
tourism and education with community involvement’’.
‘‘I’m just wondering if there would be any budget anywhere for the provision of some information educational boards to go on the fences,’’ Langford said.
However, panel chairman, Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne, said this was a conversation for the council’s Long Term Plan process.
‘‘There’s nothing wrong with actually flagging that, but we’re not having that conversation . . . yet,’’ Kempthorne said.
‘‘Also, thinking about the submissions, we heard there’s a lot of people passionate about this (environment precinct), and already quite a number of community people would be interested in volunteering.’’
The revised plan also has a changed layout for the proposed commercial section of the port, to enable it to accommodate a rock barge. Changes to the proposed commercial area come after a submission by Sollys Freight owner Merv Solly, who wanted his company to continue to have access for the movement of dolomite and quarry rock.