Significant milestone in Whanganui Port revitalisation

Published on 09 November 2016

9 November 2016

Whanganui District Council Chief Executive Kym Fell says the execution of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Q-West Boat Builders and the Council is a significant milestone in the programme to revitalise Whanganui’s port.

“The MOU provides assurance to the Council that Q-West intends to relocate and occupy two properties at the port as an anchor tenant as part of the revitalisation programme,” Mr Fell said.

“This understanding now allows the next stage of this aspect of the revitalisation to proceed, with both parties entering into an agreement to lease for the two adjoining sites. Q-West will begin the process of investigating their building requirements. Meanwhile, the Council will undertake relevant investigative works on the concept designs for the shared heavy launching infrastructure that will be required by the boat builder and other marine businesses.”

The properties included in the MOU are at 4 Tod Street and 507 Heads Road.

As well as the ongoing work with Q-West, a number of other initiatives are under way to progress the revitalisation programme. Whanganui District Council Manager Special Projects Rowan McGregor and marine expert Phil Wardale briefed Tuesday’s Council meeting on progress.

The Port project team is undertaking a large piece of work to engage with the community to hear their thoughts on the future of the port. This has been facilitated through a variety of Reference Group meetings which have been held over the last two weeks.

Reference groups have been established for six areas of interest to the Project Team. The team is assembling information to advise the Port Masterplan and a full feasibility and business case for the revitalisation of the Whanganui Port.

Mr Wardale and Mr McGregor confirmed that there had been a good response to calls for Registration of Interest from local businesses to relocate to the Port area.

Reference group meetings have had presentations from companies like Q-West and Midwest Ferries who have large scale proposals for the Port Revitalisation Project. The most recent meetings were on Monday (November 7) when the Marine Reference Group and the Recreational Group met.

More information and meeting minutes are available on the Council website at www.whanganui.govt.nz/port. If you would like to join one of the reference groups please email: portrevitalisation@whanganui.govt.nz.