Umbrellas were a necessity at the marine precinct site this morning as city and regional council officials gathered in pouring rain at the marine precinct project's sod turning dawn ceremony.

After short speeches, Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby and Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor Philip Sherry broke the ground – trading the traditional spade for a HEB excavator, which will soon be in operation at the site.

Mayor Stuart Crosby and Regional Councillor Philip Sherry at today's gorund breaking ceremony. Photos: Emma Cottin.

Mount Maunganui-based HEB Construction is the civil works contractor, and begins an 11 month works programme next week.

'We really enjoyed working with HEB to refine the tendered design,” says project director Phil Waredale.

'HEB provided us with value engineering solutions and alternatives, which will enable us to deliver a quality precinct within the project budget.”

With HEB's support Council selected a modern engineered solution for the hardstand, which will need to support the combined moving weight of New Zealand's largest-capacity vessel hoist and a vessel of up to 350 tonnes.

Kaumatua Peri Kohu, representing Ngai Tamarawaho, delivered the karakia.

'It's a challenge but we got there. We also did a lot of work with HEB to look at alternative solutions for the seawall and finishing elements for the lifting bay,” says Phil.

'HEB has a large pool of local resources and is able to manufacture construction elements in town which we would otherwise have to import. We will use precast concrete components to finish the lifting bay, providing a long lasting and attractive solution.”

HEB is experienced in marine infrastructure, having worked on marinas and ports around the country, including the extension of Tauranga's own port in 2013.

HEB CEO Derrick Adams says the company has built more than 20 wharves throughout New Zealand, including four in Tauranga.

'We have a large steel fabrication workshop and the ability to manufacture our own precast. Our experience and our local resources mean we can really deliver for both the Council and the community.

'It's always great to be a part of local project that we know will benefit the city and the region we live and work in. We're glad to have the opportunity to work with Tauranga City Council on this key infrastructure project.”

The HEB contract has a value of $6.5 million. Deliverables include the 6,300 m2 heavy-duty hardstand, a new concrete wharf, a lifting bay complete with runways for the vessel hoist, seawall armour rock protection, access roads and other core infrastructure services to the new lots.

Based on current construction timeframes, assuming no significant weather-related delays, construction will be completed in August 2017. The vessel-hoist is to be delivered at the same time, before being assembled and tested on-site. Opening of the precinct is penciled in for September 2017.

The Tauranga Harbour Marine Precinct is an $11.4 million project to deliver a purpose-built marine servicing facility at Sulphur Point. The precinct will provide a base for boat building and refit businesses in Tauranga and will be managed by Tauranga City Council under the Vessel Works brand.

By the completion of the stage one development mid next year, the precinct will include lots in a range of sizes for marine businesses, a 6,300m2 vessel storage area, deep-water marina berths for large vessels and New Zealand's largest vessel hoist (350-tonne haulage capacity and extra-wide).

Further development of lots and extending the hardstand) will be undertaken in stages, based on demand.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is the funding partner for the Marine Precinct project, contributing $5 million through the Regional Infrastructure Fund. Tauranga City Council's $6.4 million contribution is be partially offset by the sale of properties on and near the site.

The marine precinct website is called vesselworks.