Okara marina has had an uplifting construction start.
It was a dramatic start for the new marina with a helicopter lifting cut mangroves off the reclamation area over 2 days. Whilst recognizing the importance of the river’s mangrove ecosystem and understanding concerns being voiced about the removal of some mangroves, the portion removed constituted only 0.07% of Whangarei Harbour’s mangroves. The new sea wall will provide a new intertidal habitat, with voids ready to be colonized by invertebrates and small fish. Since being advised By NRC that disposal of the mangroves were not specifically covered in the resource consent for the mud fill site at Kissing Point, hasty and well considered alternatives had to be assessed. It was decided that helicopter removal was the most efficient method. It could have least public disturbance in a short time at a similar cost than a difficult shoreside removal right beside a busy road.
Construction kick-off was celebrated together with Contractors, neighbouring businesses, berth holders, Whangarei’s mayor, staff and the Marina trustees. Digging into mud cake was symbolic of the 150,000 m3 of mud to be moved out to create berths for 113 vessels.
Northland based contractors Total Marine have begun the year-long process of digging the marina basin. The dredgings are disposed of just around the corner across from the Kissing Point mooring field. The basin area has been ringed with floating silt fencing to contain the work of the two digging barges which will be working simultaneously. A trench is being dug from the southern end of the channel towards the reclamation site to enable access to the new rock wall perimeter. This is the initial focus for the dredge path as the land reclamation for the car park and building requires time to settle.
There is a 3D model on display at the Marina office in the town basin (beside the Quay restaurant). It shows the scale and position of the site.
