Port Chalmers Yachting Club commodore Steve Duder said a harbour stakeholder group should be formed "for the delivery of a comprehensive long-term plan".
The group was necessary because responsibility for the harbour was split between the Dunedin City Council and the Otago Regional Council.
"A layer of complexity exists in the planning and delivery of complete solutions."
The proposed group would include both land and marine-based stakeholders and be led by both councils alongside Port Otago.
New amenities could help in the harbour hosting international sailing events, Mr Duder said.
"In January next year, round seven of the SailGP will be held just up the road in Lyttelton Harbour.
"That is just an example of the opportunities that might exist for our harbour."
North Taieri recreational sailor Chris King agreed that a united approach was needed for harbour management.
"They all need to talk together and get something happening. I can remember my uncle back in the ’60s talking about things like this and it’s just gone backwards."
Mr King said facilities for recreational boat users were "dwindling", and he was concerned about reductions to the wharf at Careys Bay.
"Quite a few local boaties are losing their moorings."
- By Andrew Marshall
Comments
"Mr King said facilities for recreational boat users were "dwindling", and he was concerned about reductions to the wharf at Careys Bay" not only there but elsewhere too, berths gone from the harbour basin and there is talk of the marina at Otago Yacht Club being taken over and exorbitant sums being charged for berths.
There were not many complaints when the old "Otago Harbour Board" had it under control