Napier Port has reaffirmed its plans for its biggest-ever investment by lodging a resource consent application with its owners aimed at building a new wharf stretching 350 metres and able to cope with some of the longest ships in the World.
The application was lodged with the Hawke's Bay Regional Council yesterday, a year and a half after the port company — once run by a harbour board elected by the public — first announced its plans for a project which with the dredging necessary is expected to cost about $125 million.
A timeline is not yet clear however, although the port expects a near 50 per cent increase in cargo by 2026 and that once the application process is completed it will complete a business case to establish the optimum time to begin construction which it is estimated will take about two years.
The lodging of the application follows large amounts of scientific research and almost two-years of pre-consultation, involving input from about 2000 people.
It includes 17 specialist studies on potential impacts on the ecology of the sea floor and Pania Reef, dredging, waves, surf breaks, noise, traffic and cultural values.