Renewed interest in marina

The Queenstown Lakes District Council will this month "test the market" over the development of a first-class marina at Frankton, calling for expressions of interest.

Council project manager Ken Gousmett said the council last tested the market over a "significant" Frankton Marina development in 2006 and 2009, without success.

The council would evaluate the expressions of interest, short-list companies and request a preliminary design proposal.

In August last year Queenstown Marina Developments Ltd was removed from the job after being unable to meet the memorandum's conditions, despite considerable investment and the council extending the deadline several times.

"Council has continued to work on this concept and there continues to be real interest from the market.

"The time is right to put the project out to the development community," Mr Gousmett said.

The council was interested in hearing from developers with marina development experience to undertake the design, construction and operation of a boat marina, with associated land-based facilities.

"The location is stunning and the potential is very real," Mr Gousmett said.

Continued interest in a marina led to the establishment last year of a council working party to revisit the marina project.

The council was comfortable there was demand for the facility and was "open to supporting the right proposal".

Expressions of interest will be called for this weekend with the closure date March 19.

The development brief will be available from next week online at www.qldc.govt.nz

 

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