The consultant who did most of the design work on the Tauranga Marine Precinct is being hired by Tauranga City Council to manage the project.
Phil Wardale's appointment follows the recent resignation of the council's previous project manager and former property manager Anthony Averill.
How the marine precinct could look. Photo: Wardale.
Phil runs Wardale Marine Industry Consulting, a Ponsonby-based firm offering design and development assistance to marina owners and councils.
The council has previously stated that construction of the $10 million, 3.56 hectare site off Mirielees Road is expected to begin sometime in the current financial year.
Half the money is coming from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council infrastructure fund, with the other half from the council, offset by the sale of properties on and near the site.
The project includes New Zealand's largest capacity travel lift at 200 tonnes, a hardstanding and space for the marine cluster to grow.
A 2013 economic analysis of the project says it will create 195 jobs, and add $15.12 million to the regional economy each year, unlocking the potential to cater for commercial, recreation, international and cruising vessels.
It will also enable the establishment of a cluster of marine businesses.
Phil Wardale's appointment comes on the back of a survey which found that visiting superyachts at 24 metres or longer have a net economic impact of $39.5 million each year.
The average visiting superyacht represents about a $1.067 million net economic impact to New Zealand
Most of the money is spent in Auckland, where visiting superyachts spend the largest amount of time. About $29 million of the $39.5 million of net economic impact was captured in Auckland.
The report says that keeping the yachts in New Zealand for longer will produce greater economic impacts, and adds that investment in facilities to support crews would be prudent.
It also states that total turnover in foreign exchange earnings for the refit/service sector in the period to 31st March 2014 from visiting superyachts to NZ was about $129m.
6 comments
When will council learn?
Posted on 01-11-2014 07:49 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Another wage packet is added to the council's bill. Once again council is funding a gamble with the ratepayer stumping up. If this were a viable project, private industry would be doing it. Stick to the basics and don't get into business ventures "for the sake of the area's economy".
Here's an idea, TCC, stay the hell out of other people's business ...
Posted on 01-11-2014 08:11 | By Murray.Guy
How about keeping ratepayers OUT of the Marine business, making the land available to the Marine Sector on terms that protect and retain a degree of waterfront access (as per the original purchase intent) for the public and let the 'actual marine sector develop, manage and take the risks associated with their industry? BOPRC investment can go directly into the haul out facility and retain ownership of and the balance to the private sector as it should be. TCC, the private sector will secure a positive outcome that's matches their needs at a fraction of the cost, at next to no cost to ratepayers!
A subsidy by any other name??
Posted on 01-11-2014 10:18 | By BullShtAlert
My opinion is that this will end up being heavily subsidised by ratepayers and therefore not real business. The tired old economic benefit arguments will be trotted out. By that same reasoning council could well get involved in any business. The very fact that the project has to be "managed" tells me a lot. I'd have thought that in the real world of business, if something was truly viable, businesses willing to pay for land or leases would be queuing to get in?
crosby get your hands off my money!!
Posted on 01-11-2014 14:12 | By jed
If crosby is so great at business why not put up his own money instead of reaching into the ratepayers pockets like a pickpocket. There is a reason he is a public servant and not in business for himself.
They Can
Posted on 01-11-2014 17:20 | By Capt_Kaveman
cose YOU voted for them, i have always stated council is not a business
brainless
Posted on 02-11-2014 14:07 | By mike harman
the council should not do this if it was such a great idea then some entrepreneur would have done it with their own money along time ago and who said it would bring millions into our economy, some over paid consultant who will never loose any money only get a fat cheque from the council of us ratepayers money
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