Marine centre proposed for Marineland site

The Friends of Marineland want to see the site converted into a world-class marine rescue, rehabilitation and education centre.

The remaining marine life is earmarked for export and the Marineland gates are staying firmly locked but Napier woman Emily Otto has not given up on seeing the development of a marine animal welfare and education centre on Marine Parade.

She said she was making a submission to the Napier City Council as part of its Draft Annual Plan process on the basis that if the council had $5.7 million to spend on the development of Marine Parade, it should look at using some of it to develop a marine centre.

"We have not given up on it," she said of the Friends of Marineland's aim to create a "world class" marine rescue, rehabilitation and education centre.

She said she believed the support for such a facility, whether it was on the former Marineland site or as a major addition to the National Aquarium complex, was still strong.

"Several people have contacted us and asked if there is anything they can do to stop this [removing the present animals] happening."

She said making a submission to the council, asking for a marine centre to be considered and pursued, was one way for the public to have a say.

"We need people to step up and have their say."

Mrs Otto said Napier's Marineland history was still strong around the country, as a recent visit to Auckland revealed.

"I spoke to some people on the beach at North Shore and they said they remembered Marineland and asked what was happening to it.

"When I told them, they said 'are you kidding?"'

She said Napier, being a coastal city, was a perfect location for a marine centre, adding that similar centres around the world had proven popular.

"We have some new faces on council and I believe this is still worth a shot."

Submissions, which can be made online through the council's website, close at noon on Friday.