Developing harbour priority,

By Charles Pitt

Ports Authority chairman Sam Crocombe is working on a draft proposal on the development of Avarua harbour which he intends to put to Cabinet in the near future for consideration.
Crocombe told the Times it is essential and feasible to develop Avarua harbour to accommodate large cruise vessels alongside and also other passenger carrying vessels in the future, such as inter-island ferries.
Crocombe said if cruise ships were able to stay overnight, the potential income from tourism spending was estimated to be NZ$1 million.
To date, ships have made 14 visits. There are 22 more visits scheduled up to 24 December 2007. Berthage fees would also provide additional income.
Crocombe has prepared a sketch showing the proposed development. It is not to scale. In preparing the sketch he has spoken with the Chinese engineers who worked on the Police Headquarters.
The proposal involves widening the channel opening slightly and having entry of vessels made at a slight angle. Cruise ships would enter and tie up alongside a landing along the shore side (not in front of Trader Jack’s).
The ship would be facing in the Avatiu direction. Ships depart by reversing out. The reef from Avarua harbour to Avatiu would have a seven-metre high concrete wall.
The side facing the ocean would be curved inwards slightly. The top of the wall will be four metres wide similar to one seen in Papeete, Tahiti. The length of that wall is about 2km long.
At the Avatiu end a beach and an area for safe swimming would be created. The swimming area would range from half a metre to three metres in depth.
At this point, another concrete wall extends from the shore to the wall on the reef. This wall will be wide enough on top to walk out to the wall on the reef for fishing. This wall will also have grills to allow sea water through but will also have a permanent wire mesh net to keep out any predators such as sharks.
The bridge at Avatiu would be widened and raised slightly to allow flood waters and any debris to move freely.
Crocombe says Government should support this development because it will generate ongoing income. He is confident that more cruise ships would visit as cruise operators realise vessels can tie up alongside and not have to park out side the reef where the vagaries of weather dictate the duration of the visit and potential earnings.
In the interim Crocombe says a jetty should be built at Rutaki, where passengers should be able to land in the event of rough weather on the northern side. He has already had some discussions with landowners about the matter.
INCOME
Crocombe is adamant government should be focusing on matters that generate income and improve the economy.
Too much energy he says is going into issues such as the Media Bill and Anti-Party Hopping legislation which are non-productive, do not increase exports, do not create jobs, do not increase income or wealth and which are of no direct benefit or value to local people.
The Anti-Party Hopping Legislation, said Crocombe, protects no-one else but politicians and the Media Bill seems to be designed to protect mainly politicians from criticism.
Crocombe says Government’s focus and priority must be on creating infrastructure that in return generates wealth for ordinary people.
Ordinary people are struggling on low pay and must undertake fundraising activities to raise money for basic items in education and health.
It is not a sign of a healthy economy. If the economy is healthy, the question must be asked, “Healthy for who?”

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