Marine hub to buy NZ's largest hoist, travel lift

The new marine precinct will feature a large boat hoist and travel lift.

Tauranga's plan to become a leading player in the boat building and refits industry has taken a huge step forward with the announcement that the city's new marine precinct will feature New Zealand's largest boat hoist and travel lift.

Project director Phil Wardale told city councillors yesterday that improvements in the exchange rate meant he was confident they would be buying a hoist and travel lift with a capacity of about 300 tonnes. It meant Tauranga would be able to handle vessels as large as Auckland's Fullers' catamaran ferries.

He was updating the city delivery committee on progress to establish stage one of the marine precinct on council-owned land between the Harbour Bridge and Sanfords in Sulphur Point.

Mr Wardale detailed how he had gone back to the four companies selected from the expressions of interest received from international suppliers of new hoists and travel lifts.

Evaluation had been delayed to allow a late expression of interest to be considered and for Mr Wardale to discuss the possibility of acquiring a used machine. It has resulted in the marine precinct's evaluation panel going back to the original four shortlisted suppliers with a request for various machine options and configurations.

"These responses will be evaluated ahead of a preferred supplier being selected."

The $10.4 million project was conditional on it meeting all the conditions laid down by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council before it released $5 million from its Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Mr Wardale said the first drafts of the agreement were being negotiated and included the project meeting timing and performance targets. The agreement was intended to be signed no later than May 31.

Expressions of interest have also been received from people interested in buying lots in the precinct, with the council expected to call tenders in May-June. The council hoped to recover its half-share of the costs from the sale of the lots.

Mr Wardale said a geotechnical investigation of the site provided good news that the ground would not be subject to liquefaction in a large earthquake. "We are not dealing with additional ground works," he said.

The favourable report meant that engineers could now provide design alternatives for the seawall and heavy duty pavement. The council intends to retain the concrete wharf and ice wharf at the northern end of the site, with access particularly important for independent fishermen.