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V P.
VIIP. 9
VIP S94
VIP.S94
P
HOBSONVILLE LAND OFFERED to the superyacht building industry
could become the location for a new housing development.
The 20 hectares of marine-zoned Auckland Council owned
land was originally offered to the superyacht building industry,
however only one boat builder is currently using the land.
The council is to examine residential development prospects
while giving the industry a further three years to show interest. A
list of payments to eight consultancy firms was recently released
and to date, the land has cost ratepayers around $30 million.
"Rate payers will be staggered to learn that in the last three
years literally millions has been spent on writing strategies,
reports, as well as ongoing advice from consultants contractors,
lawyers, marketers and, of course, a packet on project
management," Councillor Cameron Brewer said.
Yard 37, near the Hobsonville waterfront, has been debated
by councillors, with some wishing to see the marine precinct
status withdrawn, saying that enough time has been given to the
industry to take up the land.
An Auckland Council Property report is underway with project
director Leonie Freeman to explore both boat building and
housing options. Freeman's own consultancy firm has already
received $693,000 for work at the site.
Councillor Cathy Casey pleaded for an exclusively residential
development with a focus on affordable housing.
Councillor Cameron Brewer felt that the Auckland Council
Property projections of over a year ago have been overly optimistic
with their forecast of 2,000 jobs, 20 boat builders, a world beating
superyacht industry and millions in council revenue.
The council would be required to re-zone the area if it is to
be used for housing. Further residential development is already
planned for Hobsonville Point and a ferry service is currently
running to Auckland's central business district.
According to Freeman, $52,000 had been spent marketing the
land to the boat building sector but the high dollar, the financial
downturn and competition from Asian boat builders meant the
industry had been unable to commit.
Peter Busfield of the New Zealand Marine Industry Association
agrees that more time is necessary for implementation of the
original plans for the area. "Before the financial crisis we had
about 50 companies that were interested in that land but their
deposits were refunded."
"It took a long time to get the deal sorted after the airbase
closed. The industry has recovered well now so those sales can
be met," he says. Busfield believes that the location is perfect for
building and maintaining large ships due to the deep water that
surrounds Hobsonville Point.
A recent decision by the Auckland Council finance and strategy
committee committed funds toward the building of a suitable
transit road for large boat access to and from the Yard 37 precinct
to the water.
"The transit road will be capable of carrying a travel lift with a
600 tonne vessel or specialist heavy haulage trucks carrying 70 to
100-metre superyachts or commercial vessels from boat-building
facilities in the precinct to the deep water launch facilities
alongside," says Busfield. The transit road, called Launch Road,
will be constructed during 2013.
The February financial statement for the Yard 37 project says
that the area is operating under a deficit of $837,000, with its
revenue of $213,000 coming from rent charged to a single boat
building company, Yachting Developments.
The alternatives of housing or a mixed commercial-residential
development have potential for a higher financial return.
VIP.S93
Housing vs. boat building
July/August 2013
Professional Skipper 45
