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The Mahurangi has been listed as one of 12 locations which could be developed into a future port to service Auckland if existing ports in the region reach capacity.
The Port Future Study is investigating how the ports in Auckland, Tauranga and Marsden Point will cope with Auckland’s growth over the next 30 to 50 years.
Last month the study’s working group released a long list showing where a new port could be built if the existing ports can’t cope with growth.
Study chair Rick Boven says the list was compiled by looking at which areas could technically be developed into a port and also includes options as diverse as Muriwai and Whakatane.
The group is now working on the criteria which will be used to narrow the options. This will include assessing the environmental, social, economic and cultural costs and benefits that a port would have at each location.
The working group will make final recommendations to Auckland Council in June.
“The current port can cope with some increase in demand but there are a lot of uncertainties when working on a 50 year timeline,” Dr Boven says.
“It’s important that we take a long-term, objective and balanced view.”
The public should get a clear steer on whether Mahurangi is one of the preferred locations in June, he says.
Matakana resident Richard Didsbury is a member of the working group and says the investigations are at a very early stage.
“The locations have been identified purely because they have deep water and flat land that would technically be able to cater for a port,” Mr Didsbury says. “The disadvantages and implications of each option are still to be considered and that will see many of the options knocked out.”
The study is the result of Council’s controversial decision to grant Ports of Auckland permission to extend Bledisloe Wharf by 92-metres, sparking a campaign to halt the work last year.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown allocated $1 million to the Port Future Study.
