A business case has been prepared for the future development of Kaikoura’s South Bay Harbour, thanks to funding from the government’s Provincial Growth Fund.
The Kaikoura district council approved the business case at a council meeting on Wednesday, July 27 and will now seek more funding to take it to the next stage.
Councilors hailed the business case as a game changer for the city, which already hosts marine researchers from the University of Canterbury and other agencies.
The South Bay Harbor has multiple uses, including tourism and commercial and recreational fishing.
“In the business case there is the potential linkage to research and education facilities and to align with any developments in that space and that could be phenomenal for Kaikoura,” said CEO Will Doughty.
“We are very lucky with our marine life and we are known as a hotspot in the southern hemisphere.”
He said the University of Canterbury would be happy to make a long-term commitment with Kaikoura, if suitable facilities are available.
“We need to look broader than that and perhaps also at other foreign universities.”
The business case suggested building a much larger port to support growth in the fishing and tourism sector.
“A lot of industries are using it and it’s getting busier and busier, so there’s the potential for maritime safety issues.
“So we need to make sure we have a plan and layout that supports the different users.”
Mayoral candidate Ted Howard, who has a background in commercial fishing, expressed concern about the southerly winds impact of the proposed location of the commercial fishing port.
Kaikoura Marine Development Project Manager Chris Sturgeon said the issue was not raised in stakeholder meetings with commercial fishermen but could be addressed during the feasibility study.
Te Runanga o Kaikoura had supported the project and was eager to be part of the next phase, especially to ensure that mahinga kai was protected, Sturgeon said.
Mr Doughty said the business case will now be presented to the Government and the Canterbury Mayoral Forum.
The project would take several years and require significant investment, he said.
It would take at least $4 million to complete a feasibility study and detailed design, while total development is expected to cost between $78 and $95 million.
“It’s been a pretty robust process and we’ve had input from key stakeholders and from some community sessions,” Doughty said.
“But this is only the first step and now we need to go out and secure the funding to take it to the next stage. The hard work begins now.”
–By David Hill
Local Democracy Reporter
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.