Harbour-Wharf Masterplan – signed, sealed, now to deliver!

Following Community consultation, the revised Ōpōtiki Harbour-Wharf Masterplan was adopted by Council at their Tuesday meeting.

Update to Ōpōtiki Wharf Masterplan and Implementation Plan PDF

Since the Marina development is facing delays, Council asked staff to investigate interim options to allow mussel boats to use the town wharf for loading, unloading and wharfage, other industrial use until the commercial marina is available.

In December 2022, Council agreed that additional community consultation was needed on the revised Masterplan, due to the need to consider an interim solution.

Community feedback included ensuring the safety of the community using the wharf areas in relation to the mussel boats and ensuring there was separation between the recreation and commercial spaces. The need to accommodate increased car and boat trailer parking space demand was also highlighted as a consideration.

The updated Masterplan addresses these points and provides a balance between both recreational and commercial users as well as planning ahead for the increase of recreational fishers Ōpōtiki District expects to see in the future, when the harbour officially opens early next year.

Funding for the projects identified in the Masterplan were budgeted for in the current LTP and the approval of the plan means these can now commence. On Tuesday, Council approved funding allocations for three initial projects:

• $1m to upgrade the existing Town wharf.
• $1m for the construction of the access ramp and dredge compound on Snells Road.
• And up to $100,000 to realign Motu Trial around the town wharf.

Ōpōtiki District Council Planning and Regulatory Group Manager, Gerard McCormack, says this is an exciting step for the future of Ōpōtiki and it will complement the other areas of the town that have been recently updated.

“This mahi goes hand in hand with the recent upgrades to the CBD, including Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi, the skate park, and the playground, that aim to draw people to Ōpōtiki and our CBD, and improve business,” said McCormack.

This isn’t the only exciting milestone for the harbour development – this Friday 15th at 12pm the harbour channel will be opened to allow for limited access for recreational boats only.

While the finish line is in sight, the entire project is not finished just yet. Once construction of the harbour walls is complete in early 2024 there will be an official public opening to celebrate the project being complete. We’re expecting this to be in February/March 2024 – this will be confirmed closer to the time.

A big thank you to everyone in the community who provided feedback during the consultation period for the Wharf-Harbour Masterplan – we are excited for what’s to come.