More than $1 million has been approved by the Milford Sound Development Authority (MDA) to upgrade tourism facilities at Milford Sound and on the Milford Rd.
The upgrade includes constructing a hydro-electric power plant at Knobs Flat, replacing existing diesel generators, the resealing of car parks at Knobs Flat and Milford and replacing a floating berth at Milford.
MDA board chairman Jeff Grant said the upgrade would ensure Milford Sound maintained its reputation as New Zealand's leading tourist attraction.
The replacement of floating berth 6/7 at Freshwater Basin - scheduled to be finished in time for the summer season - had been contracted to E-Type Engineering, of Invercargill.
The pontoons were nearing the end of their useful life because of the larger size of boats operating at Freshwater Basin, Mr Grant said.
The MDA had recently been granted resource consent to move the breakwater and realign and upgrade the wharves and other berthing facilities.
The replacement of berth 6/7 was the first of these upgrades Replacing the diesel generators had been contracted to Invercargill company Wallace Murray Electrical.
Mr Grant said generating power at Knobs Flat for the complex in the Eglinton Valley using diesel generators was costly and dirty and the MDA board believed small-scale hydro generation was a more responsible and environmental friendly methodThe MDA holds various concessions with the Department of Conservation to carry out tourism and community related activities at Milford Sound and Knobs Flat.
The authority's facilities and activities include wharves at Freshwater Basin, solid waste operations (refuse), sewage conveyance, treatment and discharge, car parking and staff accommodation.
