Tauranga City Council is pushing ahead with research and engagement with the marine sector to try to make the long postponed Marine Precinct at Mirrielees Rd a reality.
The 3.56ha site was bought by the council a decade ago and leaseholders and the marine industry have long been frustrated at the failure to develop the site.
An ambitious earlier plan collapsed because of cost reasons during the global financial crisis. However, in March a new $10 million proposal was put into the council's draft annual plan, with $5 million to come from the BOP Regional Council Regional Infrastructure fund. The balance would come from selling and leasing lots within the precinct, as well as the potential sale of nearby council-owned property.
"The Marine Precinct is in the draft plan and our aim is to have it ready to move forward by the time we finalise the annual plan in June," said Jaine Lovell-Gadd, general manager, organisational services.
To that end, last month Anthony Averill, the council's property services manager, established a temporary office on the site in order to get a better feel for the challenges faced by current users of the precinct.