A vision for Oamaru Harbour to create "one of the best little harbours in the country" is the aim of a development strategy the Waitaki District Council is being asked to approve.
About $1.3 million has already been allocated in this year's budget for the first stage of the Oamaru Harbour Development Strategy, which aims to make the historic port a destination for both locals and visitors.
On Tuesday, the council's committee of the whole considered the strategy developed by the harbour sub-committee, which has been working on it since last year. It brings together in a new programme previous plans and strategies.
Some councillors were concerned they only received the strategy at this week's meeting, and it was decided they would get more time to consider it before making decisions at the council meeting on August 23.
If the strategy is approved, it will be reviewed every three years.
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton said the strategy was a rationalisation of many reports and plans over the past 20 years.
"There is very little that is new," he said.
Already some work has been done, including extending Wansbeck St to the harbour and reconstructing Marine Pde.
But now the development will speed up, if the strategy is approved.
Over the next decade, the aim is to create a harbour that combines commercial operations, tourism and development to provide a family-friendly waterfront.
"Tomorrow's harbour will be a place filled with history, stories, creativity and activity," the strategy's summary says.
The council would begin work on the freezer building and the area north of Oamaru Creek; the rail to ocean foreshore; the old Friendly Bay carnival site and Friendly Bay itself; the railway goods yard area; wharves and slipways; roads; and the Portside beach and eastern tip of the harbour.
The harbour would become better connected to the town, parks and beaches would be rejuvenated and more family-friendly, a playground would be created, along with outdoor stages for entertainment, and storyboards showing the harbour's history and marine life.
Marine activities would be encouraged, residential, commercial and tourist accommodation enabled and the area landscaped.
The $1.3 million funding is made up of $115,600 from rates, $670,000 from a loan, $75,530 from harbour endowment, $355,500 from Resource Management Act reserves and $130,000 from grants.
