A future business and marine precinct that has been granted consent to build a commercial working wharf and recreational boat ramp in Kōpū has been called “gobsmackingly fantastic” by the district mayor.
The Thames-Coromandel District Council applied for resource consent under the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act for a new marine precinct at Kōpū, outside of Thames.
However, roughly 125 metres of mangroves could have made the difference in the precinct getting built without a recreational boat ramp.
An independent panel, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approved the project works last week, including recreational and commercial wharves, for the banks of the Waihōu River and for specified infrastructure within an area of mangrove wetland.
The panel granted resource consent with conditions, including for pre- and post-construction management, wetland enhancement, and pest control.
The decision came 67 working days after the project was lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority, and Thames-Coromandel Mayor Sandra Goudie thanked the panel for “making a sensible decision”.
“This decision is incredibly positive and uplifting,” she said.
“This course of action is going to make a real difference to Thames, our district and the region.”
