WHAKATANE MARINA PROJECT OVERVIEW

Locals don’t have to be told about the attractions of Whakatane’s ocean and harbour. The region is renowned for its deep-sea fishing, gateway to New Zealand’s only active marine volcano - White Island, and one of the world’s top Scuba diving destinations.

Whale Island

Whakatane SportFishing Club

Boasting among the highest sunshine hours and kindest winter temperatures in New Zealand Whakatane truly is a jewel on the East Coast.

With sheltered bays dotted along the coast and a safe harbour at Whale Island there’s no shortage of opportunities to snorkel in warm clear water, take in some dolphin watching or join the many anglers in hot pursuit of Marlin, Yellowfin, Albacore and Skipjack Tuna.

Whakatane is home to some Big Game fish world records, and the country’s largest Tuna Tournament. Hosted each January by the Whakatane Sport Fishing Club.

The proposed site for the development of the Whakatane Marina is nestled alongside the right-bank (town side) of the Whakatane River. Conveniently located in close proximity to the town centre, immediately upstream from the existing, Whakatane Yacht Club and a stroll along the riverbank from the Whakatane Sport Fishing Club.

Vehicle access to the proposed Marina will be via McGarvey Road.

Currently almost 100 people moor their boats in the river and Ohiwa Harbour. However, the river is tidal and boats are vulnerable to floating debris and fluctuating river levels. In the new marina, boats will be totally protected.

Ocean entry is through the harbour entrance, and is accessible most tides. Entrance closures occur on average 4 days per month with ocean conditions generally considered unsuitable for boating on these days.

FACILITIES

The concept plan includes:

Fuel & Sewage Pump Out Facilites

Dry Stack Facility

• 180 Berths ranging in size from 10.5 – 20m
• 2 Large car parks (located each end of Marina)
• Boat Broker/Dealership
• Hard stand and maintenance area to cater for up to 12 boats
• Haul out area
• 35 tonne travel lift
• Boat repair facilities
• Small workshops for associated marine servicing businesses
• Dry stack storage for 56 boats
• Environmentally friendly boat cleaning/wash down facilities
• Café/Shop
• Stop bank and debris deflection gates

Marina Services to Berth holders/owners including;

• Security gates and surveillance system
• Environmentally friendly fuel and sewage pump out facilities
• Rubbish removal
• Modern ablution/shower/laundry block
• Power/water/electricity supply
An onsite management office will oversee the operational running of the marina including dredging to control silt build-up, site security and co-ordinate the lease and re-sale of berths.
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HISTORY

This proposed Marina concept, was originally conceived by the late Keith Robinson in the early 1980s.

Whakatane River looking toward main wharf.

Site suitability was extensively researched with a number of locations considered and later assessed till only the present site proved viable, satisfying prerequisites for space, hydraulics, access etc.

Investigations and various reports were completed and in 1988 Keith began preparing the Resource Consent applications to develop a Marina on the currently proposed site.

Sadly with the passing of Keith in 1989, it was several years later before his wife; Colleen revisited her husband’s dream and continued with the preparations for the Resource Consents.

Between 1989 and 1994 there were several major law changes in respect to Resource consents and Marinas, as a consequence, much of the work previously completed by Keith had to be re-examined and further delays in the lodging of the applications ensued.

It wasn’t long before a team of local residents, quickly recognizing the long-term benefits to both the community and boating operators alike, joined forces with Colleen to further propel the project into the planning stage and the Whakatane Marina Society Incorporated was born.
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THE WHAKATANE MARINA SOCIETY

The Whakatane Marina Society is an Incorporated Society currently with 130+ members.

Proposed Whakatane Marina Site

It’s objective, at this early stage, is to propel the proposal for a Whakatane Marina into the construction phase and secure berth deposits from interested parties.

The Whakatane Marina Society Inc. currently has possession of the resource consent applications and has successfully secured developer rights to use the Crown owned land, for the proposed marina in alliance with world leading developers in Marine design and construction, Bellingham Marine N.Z. Ltd.

The Society has already conducted market research and feasibility studies with convincing results and a substantial number of berth deposits have already been paid.

Those interested in joining the Marina Society will be asked to pay a $500 (GST incl) non-refundable deposit, Register Online Now!. This amount will later be credited against the cost of a berth.
The Society is presently a non-profit organization but will consider becoming a Charitable Trust when the project proceeds and construction begins.
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ABOUT THE DEVELOPER

With over 1.2 million square feet of floating docks, Bellingham Marine N.Z. Ltd. is the largest marina building company in the world.
Incorporated in 1928, Bellingham Marine has large-scale projects throughout the world, including being the award winning developer of Seattle’s Shilshole Marina; hosting a total of 1,500 berths.

Projects closer to home include:

• Opua Marina – 240 berths
• The America’s Cup Village
• Pier Z - Westhaven
• Cap D’Amarres, Gulf Harbour

The Whakatane Marina will be constructed using Unifloat floating pontoons. A registered trademark of Bellingham Marine Inc. Unifloat has been in New Zealand since 1984 and there are approximately 6,000 Unifloat berths already here in NZ.

The Unifloat design consists of safe, permanent, environmentally friendly concrete modules requiring minimal maintenance, offering impressive durability in a variety of configurations and appearances to keep individual projects looking distinctive.
Bellingham Marine Inc designs, constructs, consults and develops Marina’s – it’s all they do!
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SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITY

Obviously, there will be benefits directly felt by those investing in berths and using marina facilities on a regular basis. Added convenience, improved safety and security to name a few; these will be paid for through berth prices and annual fee’s. The myth that only the wealthy will reap the benefits of the proposed development must be clearly dispelled.

Local Cafes & Supermarket close by.

Whakatane Coastguard HQ

The retention of boat related activities has far-reaching, flow on effects for the local economy. For example, in the short term, during the development phase, there will be increased demand for those employed in the construction sector. And in the long term, increased business opportunities generated through the establishment of commercial boating services (repairs, maintenance, chandlery, marine supplies, fuel etc). More boat owners will spend their money locally, as opposed to taking it elsewhere (primarily, Tauranga).

According to marina and industry sources, there are an estimated 1000 international mariners visiting New Zealand every year, the majority concentrating their stay in the North Island and frequenting marina’s in close proximity to a wide range of consumer services. The presence of a marina will mean a percentage can visit Whakatane, bringing associated benefits to the community. Charter operators in the district already attract approximately 16,300 visitors each year, generating an estimated $1.6 to $1.7 million in revenue. An impressive $0.7 to $0.8 million in additional spending is also associated with these visits demonstrating just how significant domestic tourism is to the Whakatane economy.

The addition of a marina close to the Central Business District will benefit local restaurants, café’s and Whakatane’s lifestyle values in general. Bringing a heightened sense of ‘place’ and enhancing the role of central Whakatane as a main focal point for the community.
This development could also potentially act as a catalyst for other waterfront developments, attracting increasing domestic tourists into the future.
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COSTS

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