A newly approved marine research and education facility in Tauranga is expected to open the doors to at least 25 new jobs.
The facility is expected to provide a $30 million economic boost to the city, according to a statement released by Tauranga City Council this morning.
Earlier this year, Tauranga City Council sought the community's feedback on a proposal to reclassify a small piece of land at Marine Park, Sulphur Point, allowing for the facility to be developed. Read more here.
Two-thirds (66.3 per cent) of submitters supported the proposal, and the reclassification of 7000m2 of Marine Park (six per cent of the park's land area) has now been confirmed.
Council's chief financial officer Paul Davidson says the facility will offer numerous benefits, particularly on the economic, education and environmental fronts.
Development of the facility will also provide increased tertiary and post-tertiary education options and support important research into our marine environment and the effects of climate change.
'As New Zealand looks for innovative and sustainable responses to protect our marine environment and work towards a low carbon future, the research opportunities flowing from the facility are immense.
'Once it's fully developed, Tauranga will be in a unique position to attract students to learn more about this increasingly important subject. It's also intended that the community will have access to enjoy a range of educational and recreational activities at the facility too. ”
Entities that can demonstrate the capability to establish and operate a facility can apply to lease the land through a tender process, which is expected to start in January 2023.
Once a tenderer has been approved, they would have to obtain the necessary consents required to construct the facility.
Alongside the initiation of the marine research and education facility, council is also part-way through a master planning exercise for Sulphur Point.
This work will see the development of a new six-lane boat ramp, which has been included in the 2021-31 Long-term Plan.
Formalised car parking and landscaping are also being investigated.
'We know that Marine Park is a popular boat launching location and that demand for parking and boat ramps is increasing as the city grows,” says Paul.
'Development of a masterplan for Sulphur Point as part of the Marine Strategy will guide where marine facilities are required and what else may be needed to provide opportunities for the community to access the harbour.”
For more information head to: www.tauranga.govt.nz/marinefacility
10 comments
Hands off our parks TCC !!
Posted on 05-12-2022 12:47 | By Otumoetai Resident
Just 2 years ago the Minister for Conservation banned TCC's plan to take 7000m2 of prime public waterfront land for private use. TCC and its undemocratic Commissioners tried it again with very limited consultation they claim 66% of less than 1% of the population voted for it ! That means over 99% did not. There is no evidence of the environmental, employment & and other claims being made here. TCC put NO signs up at the reserve explaining to users this prime waterfront land would be lost forever. Their own reserve management plan requires them to protect this green space which they have totally ignored. They claim there are no other suitable sites which is more lies from TCC. They are "opening it up to tender" but already make claims on the basis Waikato University has sole occupancy. Its time to tell. Hands off our parkland TCC!!
What Democracy???
Posted on 05-12-2022 14:12 | By bruce.deirdre@xtra.co.nz
So how many submitters were there has anyone got the guts to disclose that....just a shambolic facade at democracy and another THEFT of a publicly owned green space
Great news (Bruce, read the arctle)
Posted on 05-12-2022 20:21 | By Informed
Such great news for Tauranga. With such pressure on our climate and marine environment having a research centre in our town makes sense. A real shame that a few people worried about where they might park their boat once a year seem to think their needs override the needs and wants of the wider community. PS it’s not hard to find how many people submitted, there is literally a link in the article…..
Hmmmm
Posted on 05-12-2022 22:03 | By Yadick
This GREEN area is hardly used apart from parking which a green area is not for. In it's newspaper article this seems to me to be a great idea. I don't know. I do however like what I read here . . .
This was Engineered to get this result
Posted on 06-12-2022 06:45 | By RJP
Fact#1 The process devised by the TCC was engineered to get this result and put the UoW on this site Fact #2 Although the TCC had a business plan from the UoW, The TCC would not disclose the proposed building size or footprint, The number of people who would be on site ant any given time, How the pie in the sky $30 million was arrived at. Fact #3 What plans were in place for the University of Waikato to expand on this should the site be no longer suitable. Fact #4 The majority of the submissions in favor were from Students ,Staff and family of The UoW and TCC Fact #4 The research work being done by the UoW that directly benefits the Residents of Tauranga is only a very small percentage. It is now an embarrassment and throw some doubt on the UoW integrity/honesty
Manipulation at its best
Posted on 06-12-2022 06:59 | By RJP
I agree with Otumoetai Resident, This has been manipulated right from the start to get a favorably result for the University of Waikato, so why try and pull the wool over peoples eyes when the decision has all ready been made This reserve was set aside for recreational use in compensation for the loss of facilities at the strand when the harbour bridge was built, and now it is taken away all for the sake of a few fish tanks and some inflated egos,
Regretfully
Posted on 06-12-2022 08:18 | By The Caveman
It was a DONE deal right from the strat !!
Reply to Infomed
Posted on 06-12-2022 12:48 | By RJP
The concern is NOT weather the UoW should be in Tauranga or not, They are already at Sulphur Point and no one has objected to that, The objection is the location right smack in the middle of a green space, Not to one side not at one end and not 6% as misleadingly quoted but close on 30% of that particular space
Disappointing but expected
Posted on 07-12-2022 15:14 | By Astradaz
I, like others feel that the TCC, through its commissioners, are not acting on behalf the community. This is prime and beautiful green space with water front views. That the University should see fit to erect itself here is simply arrogant. That the commissioners agree is unfortunately 'business as usual'. Oddly the TCC want to boot out a play center in the name of reclaiming 'green space' but happy for the University to claim prime water front views.
Not Here
Posted on 09-12-2022 09:42 | By Chookymac
This is where the new City Council building should be put. Well out of harms way and no where near all the Coffee shops Etc
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