First yachts tie up at Lyttelton marina
Lyttelton Port of Christchurch has confirmed licences with 119 people for its new walk-on Te Ana Marina in the inner harbour.
A number of owners have installed their boats in berths in the first completed pier in the marina, where there will be capacity for 170 when further stages are completed in April.
Yacht co-owner Paul Mein said he earlier had reservations about the cost but could share it between four owners, and they had taken a berth for two years.
‘‘It looks good and it’s certainly great to be able to walk on.’’
The cost for a licence to occupy for one year is $5000 for a 10-metre boat, and up to $11,856 for a 20-metre boat, with additional fees for commercial operators and people wishing to live on board.
Lyttelton Port chief executive Peter Davie said more boats would take up remaining spaces on the first pier in coming weeks.
Davie declined to reveal how much the marina was costing the port company.
Additional facilities common to other marinas will be available in future stages of development. The port company was working through options to provide fuel.
While the marina is intended to be a drawcard for the port’s recreational facilities it may be some years before pedestrians access is created along the 200-metre stretch of waterfront from Lyttelton town to the marina.
Davie said the next step was Knight Frank’s marketing of leasing opportunities in the onshore commercial development.
The first stage of this development is the refurbishment of an existing woolstore building overlooking the marina, for commercial and retail tenants.
Opportunities were available for retail, food and beverage, marine services, offices and community activities.
The marina’s administration offices will be located there along with berth-holder amenities.
This building has 720 square metres of ground-floor space in a range of tenancy sizes.
‘‘There are very few venues in all of Canterbury where you can dine with a view of the sea.
‘‘The marina itself will provide an attractive and energetic backdrop to the much-anticipated and keenly sought-after public waterfront area.’’