Battle for Delta runs out of steam

Delta owner Mark Goudie says he intends to sail the steamer to the Waitemata Harbour some time in June. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The Waipa Delta paddle steamer is to set sail for Auckland waters after last-minute talks failed to keep the business in the Waikato.

A popular fixture on the Waikato River for nearly 25 years, the Delta was likely to begin dinner cruises on the Waitemata Harbour in October.

Delta owner Mark Goudie said there was an air of inevitability about the move after he gave up on seeking resource consents for the pontoons he had illegally placed in the Waikato River beside Memorial Park last year.

But he was disappointed the operation, which he took over in 1997, was leaving Hamilton.

"I had a telephone conversation with them [Hamilton City Council], but by then I had pretty well made up my mind," he said.

"Still, I think they had made a pretty good effort towards trying to keep things here given the amount of resistance in the council."

After a contentious six-to-five vote last week, Hamilton City Council decided it would commit up to $300,000 to build a slipway at Horotiu, about 10km north of the city, to retain the steamer.

Its support was conditional on Mr Goudie removing the pontoons and also required the vessel to continue operating in the city for at least another five years.

But Mr Goudie said none of his recommendations, including more extensive riverside development, had been addressed in a council report and he had "had enough".

Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock said Mr Goudie's decision was "a loss to the city" and was not a logical response to the council's proposed slipway.

However, Mr Simcock said there had been reports the Delta "needed tidying up".

Mr Goudie said he still had a lease to operate from Memorial Park and planned on running a smaller river cruise boat from the facilities.

He told the Herald he was planning to sail the paddle steamer to the mouth of the Waikato River despite its longest recent voyage being to Ngaruawahia, 18km north of Hamilton.

Mr Goudie said the Delta would then put out to sea for a non-stop two-to-three day journey around the top of the North Island to Waitemata Harbour some time in June.

"It's uncharted waters, that's for sure," he said.

The Delta's last scheduled cruise on the Waikato River is May 30.