Motuoapa Marina redevelopment in consenting phase

Work to transform Lake Taupo’s Motuoapa Marina into a modern marina with improved launching and retrieval capabilities is now at the consenting phase.

Lake Taupō Harbourmaster, Philip King said that an application for consent to proceed with the redevelopment work has been made to the Waikato Regional Council.

“The Motuoapa Marina has reached the end of its serviceable life and redevelopment work will be well worth the wait for boaties, community members and the general public,” Mr King said.

“The redevelopment will result in an attractive recreational setting for the enjoyment of boat users, the wider community and visitors to Motuoapa. It will allow boats to be berthed safely in deeper and significantly cleaner water and also cater for large and small vessels on both a permanent and temporary basis,” Mr King said.

“The Motuoapa Marina project will be fully funded by the Department of Internal Affairs. We are very excited to be leading this project and seeing years of planning and consultation come to fruition. We are grateful for the support that we have received from Ngāti Tūwharetoa, local hapū, Taupō District Council, and Motuoapa residents,” Mr King said.

Mr King said that the majority of feedback during consultation has been supportive of the redevelopment.

“At our request the Waikato Regional Council notified publicly the applications on 2 July. While this decision will delay the start of construction, it was important the applications be notified given the high level of public interest in the redevelopment. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause to berth holders and would like to acknowledge them for their cooperation in removing their vessels from the marina within the specified timeframe,” Mr King said.

Submissions on the redevelopment close on 31 July 2015. Anyone wishing to have their say is encouraged to contact the Waikato Regional Council for information on making a submission. Information about the application and the submissions process can be found at http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Community/Whats-happening/Have-your-say/. A decision is expected from the Regional Council by the end of September.

The project is expected to take up to a year to complete from the start of the main earthworks. Tenders for the project will be issued on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS).

Ends

Media contact:
Chandrika Kumaran
Senior Communications Advisor
Department of Internal Affairs
Mobile: 027 702 7438