Jack's Point boat ramp better for boaties

Jack’s Point / Furey’s Creek

We’ve recently dredged around the Jack’s Point boat ramp to remove excess silt and improve boat launching and retrieving. The dredging has been so successful there’s now access at the ramp 3 hours either side of high tide.

We encourage recreational boaties and fishers to use this much-improved facility and we hope to make more improvements at Jack’s Point so it can be used more. With that in mind, this summer we’re monitoring the usage of the ramp to determine whether it’s worth investing further in this facility over the next few years. The proposed improvements to the ramp and the budgets that were submitted to the Coromandel-Colville Community Board this year (for which they approved $70K in funding) have evolved into what we believe is a better design following more detailed work and discussions with everyone.

An Annual Plan (2017-18) submission has been made and we hope to commence with detailed design, consultation and consenting as the next major steps for the boat ramp.

Meanwhile we continue to test the dredged material taken from around Jack’s Point, which is contained within a clay bund at a consented landfill site. There is no risk to the Coromandel town water supply or of any health and safety risk to the public or native species.

If we proceed with the development of Jack’s Point, it’s estimated that 370m3 of soft material will need to be removed plus 280m3 of deeper material. The 280m3 of deeper material, which may potentially be contaminated, could be moved to Hampton Downs or an approved landfill site depending on the test results.

Meanwhile a new resource consent will need to be sought, which would include the additional dredging requirements. The current ramp acts as a silt trap, so the new ramp will provide a much-improved orientation (allowing natural water flow towards the harbour rather than perpendicular to it). This in itself will provide an element of self-cleaning.

Park and Ride Facility – Hannaford’s Wharf

A hearing was held in late November for a Park and Ride to be established at the Mussel Kitchen to service the charter fishing industry around Coromandel Harbour.

A Commissioners decision was released publicly this week (follow this link to download the decision) which has granted the consent. However there is still a 15 day appeal time, so even without any appeals (and being so close to Christmas), it is likely that the Park and Ride won't be established until the New Year.

When constructed, it will help to further alleviate congestion on Te Kouma Road and parking issues at Hannaford’s Wharf. Stage One is the development of a car park will provide parking for 65 vehicles and Stage 2 allows for another 65 vehicles. Meanwhile to cope with the summer peak for charter activities a warden will be on site at Hannaford’s on weekends and possibly also during other busy times.

The Inner Harbour Project

The Expression of interest (EOI) for potential partners has closed and we received 12 formal EOIs. Over the coming weeks we will evaluate the EOI's and request more information to shortlist the list of interested parties. In the New Year we hope hold to meetings with a short list of contenders to continue discussions with and/or request a formal proposal. This process will continue on into next year and will feed into our wider Marine and Harbour Strategy which is currently being drafted.

For more on the Coromandel Harbour Project see our website.

Free Fishing calendar

And if you’re looking for fishing and boating tips for the Coromandel’s west coast – then we still have some FREE copies of our Fishing Calendar if you or anyone you know want some . Give us a call or an email or get it online at www.tcdc.govt.nz/boatramps

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