Plans for $7m marina bring flood of applicants

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

A $7 million marina planned for the Whakatane River, close to the town centre, could be oversubscribed before construction starts.

Although a resource consent application has yet to be lodged for the 181 floating berths, 130 people from as far afield as Christchurch and Whangarei have paid deposits.

"With the wind downhill, we could be parking the boats by late 2004," said Whakatane Marina Society chairman Trevor Hart yesterday.

Formed four years ago, the 70-member society is working in partnership with Bellingham Marine.

General manager Bruce Birtwistle said the company's Unifloat pontoon system had been used for more than 6000 marina berths throughout New Zealand.

The Whakatane site was "challenging," with boaties having to negotiate a river bar, he said. There was also a need to protect the marina from floods.

Mr Hart said plans for a marina at Whakatane were first mooted 40 years ago. A feasibility study had been based on 150 berths but the size had since been increased to ensure viability.

The society planned to run the marina as a charitable trust so profits could go back to the community.

It also wanted to involve the Whakatane District Council in the reclamation of 3.2ha of land needed for boat servicing and maintenance facilities.

Mayor Colin Hammond, a supporter of the project, described the marina as the catalyst for Whakatane to "jump forward 10 years".

Berths will range in price from $35,000 for 10.5m to $120,000 for 20m. Drystock storage will accommodate 56 boats.

Mr Hart said response had been overwhelming, with a strong leaning by investors toward the larger berths.

Support from the wider community had also been very encouraging.

The new marina site is near the yacht club in front of Kakahoroa Drive and Beach St.

On nearby Quay St, Whakatane's first block of luxury apartments is planned, 100m from the central business district.

More than three-quarters of the 22 apartments, which overlook the river, have attracted expressions of interest.

Units in the 21m-high block are expected to cost between $425,000 and $1.2 million.

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/marine