Port Marlborough begins major project to address
sedimentation and secure long-term marine access for
Marlborough’s aquaculture industry, Sounds communities and
recreational boaties.
Work is now getting
started Havelock Channel Reinstatement and Marina
Redevelopment Project, marking the start of a major project
to address longstanding sedimentation challenges and
modernise its marina infrastructure.
The project will
restore reliable access to Havelock’s channel, which has
become increasingly difficult to navigate following
significant sedimentation caused by the 2021 and 2022
storms.
Historically, maintaining the channel
required around 1,500 cubic metres of dredging every five
years. Since the storms, sedimentation has increased
substantially, with approximately 20,000 cubic metres now
estimated to be required over the same
period.
The project is being supported with a
$9.9 million loan from the Government’s Regional
Infrastructure Fund, which is administered by Kānoa –
Regional Economic Development & Investment
Unit.
The project will reset the channel along its
full length, both inside and outside the marina boundary.
Regular dredging campaigns every five years will then keep
it open.
Port Marlborough Chief Executive Rhys
Welbourn says getting work under way is an important
milestone for Havelock and the many people who depend on
marine access.
“We know how challenging
sedimentation has become for marine access, and we’re
pleased to be getting on with the work to address it. The
storms that damaged the Kenepuru Road also fundamentally
changed the scale of the problem, and with the volume of
dredging now required, the cost of maintaining the channel
has increased significantly. Finding a financially
sustainable, long-term solution has been a priority for
us.
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“The Government’s support through Kānoa’s
Regional Infrastructure Fund has been instrumental in
getting this project under way. We’re particularly grateful
to Regional Development Minister Shane Jones for recognising
the importance of Havelock to Marlborough’s economy and
backing an investment that will deliver lasting benefits for
the region.
“Havelock is the heart of
Marlborough’s aquaculture industry and the gateway to the
Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds. This project will address the
immediate sedimentation problem and establish a sustainable
approach to keeping this vital connection open for the
businesses, residents and boaties who depend on
it.
“Around 80% of Marlborough’s aquaculture
production is landed through Havelock, while the marina
provides an essential marine connection for approximately
950 permanent residents and 130 businesses across the
Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds.”
Alongside the
channel reinstatement, Port Marlborough will replace the
marina’s ageing timber D, E and F jetties with modern
floating concrete pontoons, including upgraded water, power
and communications infrastructure. A new 20-metre jetty will
also improve access for visiting vessels and Sounds
residents.
The project is being delivered with Isaacs
Construction who will establish on site within the marina on
Monday 9th November, with construction expected to be
completed by the end of 2027. All works will be undertaken
in accordance with resource consent conditions, including
environmental management and monitoring
requirements.
Mr Welbourn says the project team have
been working closely with marina users, businesses and the
wider community, and this will continue throughout the
project.
“This is a significant programme of work
in a busy, working marina, and we acknowledge that there
will be some disruption along the way. Our priority is to
maintain access wherever possible, give our customers and
marina users plenty of notice of activities that may affect
them, and to keep the community informed as work
progresses.
“We’re looking forward to seeing
the improvements take shape and we thank the Havelock
community, our customers and marina users for their patience
while we deliver a lasting solution for Havelock for
industry, recreational boaties and Sounds
Residents.”
Community drop-in sessions will be
held over the project, giving residents, businesses and
marina users the opportunity to meet the project team, hear
about progress and ask questions, with the upcoming session
scheduled for Wednesday 25 November.
Further
information and project updates are available throughout the
project on the Marlborough Sounds Marinas Havelock
Redevelopment Project website at https://marlboroughmarinas.co.nz/havelock-redevelopment-project/