14:30:18 Friday 22 August 2025

Harbour project progressing: TCDC

A move to secure title for reclaimed land at Sugarloaf Wharf (Te Kouma) has been supported by The Thames-Coromandel District Council.

During last week's full meeting of council, the TCDC also gave its support towards work which formally seeks potential funding partners for the Inner Harbour Development.


Sugar Loaf Wharf (Te Kouma) Photo: TCDC

The expansion and development of the Sugarloaf Wharf, and longer-term, the development of inner harbour facilities closer to Coromandel Town falls under the Coromandel Harbour Facilities Project.

'At the Sugarloaf [Wharf] we need to resolve land ownership title for reclaimed land and that will need iwi input and consultation,” says chief executive and project sponsor David Hammond.

In terms of ownership interests, both council and iwi have stated positions to the reclaimed land, currently vested in the Crown under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act in 2011.

While council owns infrastructure upon the reclamation, iwi have signalled their proprietary interests in the foreshore and seabed, and therein the footprint upon which the reclamation sits, via various Treaty settlement-related processes including the current Hauraki Claims.

Also during last week's meeting council supported finalising contract negotiations with the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association.

The negotiations are in regard to consent application for future Sugarloaf wharf developments, along with finalising contract negotiations regarding ownership of the wharf assets.

'Our initial path had been working towards a draft memorandum of understanding with the CoroMFA,” says David. 'However, in our negotiations with them we now see a more formal, contractual approach will be required if we're to progress a resource consent application for future expansion at this facility.”

The proposed development is also to ensure Sugarloaf is 'fit-for-purpose” for aquaculture industry expansion, plus suits the needs of other users like recreational fishers and charter boat operators.

There is also the potential within a future expanded facility to consider accommodating the 360 Ferry from Auckland, which currently comes in at Hannaford's Wharf.

'Every time we look at Coromandel harbour facilities issues we know Sugarloaf is central in the project, but that longer-term the Inner Harbour concept would be better.

'However, the price tag on that could be up to $50 to $60 million,” adds David. 'We know we can't fund that ourselves and so it's gearing up towards taking a package to central government, regional government and the public to see if there's investor interest.”

'WHOLE OF HARBOUR' SOLUTION

The ‘Inner Harbour' option around Coromandel Wharf could accommodate a commercial area to the north of Coromandel Wharf and recreational and ferry usage to the south of the wharf, with a model of marina and on-shore activity to help offset development cost is potentially a longer-term project.

David says council has also resolved to continue with a ‘whole of Harbour' solution, which includes formally seeking potential funding partners for the Inner Harbour Development.

'These potential funding partners could include central government, regional government or other external private investors.”

A budget of $75,000 was also approved to cover July, August and September 2015 costs and requires staff to provide a comprehensive budget for consideration at the upcoming September full council meeting.

Since the inception of the Coromandel Harbour Facilities Project council worked with the local community on a range of associated issues and opportunities.

It has held two public meetings and six stakeholder working group meetings to discuss the current facilities, issues and possible solutions.

For more information visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's website at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/coroharbourproject

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