A new marine refit facility is proposed to be developed in Wynyard Quarter in Auckland that will have the ability to create hundreds of jobs and deliver significant marine and tourism spending.
The facility, on the corner of Beaumont and Jellicoe Streets, is to be progressed after the recent signing of a heads of agreement between the city’s redevelopment agency, Panuku Development Auckland, and leading marine services company Orams.
The proposed development on a location known as Site 18 will feature a marine haul out and refit facility, commercial buildings and a residential tower on the northern end. The facility will target marine vessels up to 620 tonnes, which accounts for 85% of the world marine market.
The development also aims to provide increased maintenance facilities for Auckland’s ferries, fishing vessels and commercial vessels. The majority of existing marine business on the site will be accommodated within the new development.
Panuku chief executive Roger MacDonald says the development meets the objectives of the 2012 Waterfront Plan, and delivers on the goals of an active working and authentic waterfront.
He says the Orams proposal has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits, not only for Auckland but for the country as a whole.
“Only last week Queensland launched a five-year superyacht strategy with the intention to become a key superyacht hub in the Asia-Pacific region by 2023,” Mr MacDonald says.
Orams proposes to complete the marine elements of the site in advance of the residential development to enable the facility to be up and running for the next America’s Cup in early 2021.
Orams Marine chief executive Neven Barbour says their proposal is for an exemplar development, being a unique mix of marine and residential uses.
“This proposal is the result of numerous studies focused on adding sustainable value to the marine industry and Auckland’s economy,” Mr Barbour says.
Orams Marine services managing director Craig Park says the marine sector is an important economic contributor to New Zealand and Auckland, and the city has a strong reputation for quality marine work.
“The marine refit facility will create more than 500 jobs and generate significant income for the marine and tourism industries,” Mr Park says.
“The establishment of the Orams Site 18 facility will ensure the opportunity for wider industry and economic benefits will not be lost to offshore competitors.”
Mr Park says Site 18 is considered to be the only marine-zoned site of significant scale within the Auckland area able to deliver a facility of this nature and, as such, both parties are keen to see the development progress.
The parties will now enter into exclusive negotiations to complete a development agreement for the site. As part of the development, the existing seawall will be replaced, and contamination remediation works undertaken.
