A newly protected cluster of mangroves could see an end to a multi-million dollar project to grow Coromandel's aquaculture industry.

The Kōpū Marine Precinct project, near Thames, is one of two Provincial Growth Fund projects granted to the district in 2018 with an aim of boosting one of New Zealand's largest fishing industries.

Construction of the massive wharf was meant to begin this year, however, a new Act protecting the native wetlands nearby has now halted the build.

An alternative option – removing the recreational ramp and docking abilities for mussel barges – has now been proposed, causing concern for Thames businesses who would have benefited from the original design.

The wharf's fate will now be in front of a panel of commissioners due to make a decision next month.

'We see Kōpū Marine Precinct as a vital piece of infrastructure,” Thames Business Association chairman Warren Sly says.

Two weeks ago a business association meeting was held to discuss the new option.

There was a 'unanimous” vote that without the original design the project would be a 'complete waste of time”, he says.

'Without the boat ramp there, the community believes it will seriously affect their businesses.”

The original business case for a commercial wharf consisting of a fixed piled wharf structure – 4 metres wide and 82 metres long – with a T shaped wharf head and concrete floating pontoon.

Once complete, it's estimated to bring economic returns of up to $58.5 million over the next 30 years as well as up to 108 jobs.

Since then Thames Coromandel District Council has had to alter the design, removing the recreational ramp, part of the car park and the ability for mussel barges to dock.

This is to retain an area of mangroves that has been deemed a 'natural wetland” by the government's national policy statement for freshwater management.

According to the panel of experts, the construction of the recreational boat ramp would result 'in the complete or partial drainage of a portion of a natural wetland, being the area of mangroves”.

TCDC Chief executive Rob Williams declined to comment.

In a statement, TCDC says it's supportive of both options for the Kōpū marine precinct that are included in the Council's fast-track consent application that is now before the Environmental Protection Authority.

The original application was for a facility that included both commercial and recreational facilities. This was withdrawn because there appeared to be some legal ambiguity with the National Policy Statement as a wetland.

The design was altered to accommodate this and the application resubmitted. This new application includes an option with a recreational boat ramp and an option that is for a commercial facility only.

'This is a complex process, and we are sure the commissioners will do their best to provide the outcomes that the Thames community desires,” TCDC says.

Submissions from affected businesses of the Kōpū development, including Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust and Maritime New Zealand, have been received.

There will be no public hearing instead a decision on the matter is likely to be released publicly in March.

-Stuff/Sharnae Hope.