David Close, Chairman of Christchurch City Council Strategy and Resources Committee said today on the Marina porposal,
"I think it is important to emphasise that the proposal is for a joint venture between Christchurch City Council, the
Port Company and the Banks Peninsula District Council to own and complete the marina.
"The proposal is for each partner to provide $500,000 to complete the current stage of the project. If the Council gives
its approval, the funds will be invested in a manner which ensures the greatest degree of security, which may not be by
way of loan", he said.
Following Monday's special meeting any recommendations could go to the full Council at it's meeting on 27 July 2000.
earlier statement
Christchurch City Council
To: Chief Reporter / Council Reporter From: David Gee - Journalist Media statement
18 July 2000
SPECIAL MEETING ON MARINA PROPOSAL
Three hours have been set aside for a special meeting of a Christchurch City Council committee on Monday to discuss a
request for a $500,000 loan for a Lyttelton marina.
Yesterday the Strategy and Resources Committee decided to call for reports on various aspects of the marina proposal to
be considered at Monday's meeting.
The meeting will start at 9am and will reconsider a request to enter into a partnership to complete the marina. At the
last full Council meeting the request was turned down after discussions in camera.
Special reports on the marina's finances and engineering aspects will be considered on Monday 24 July.
The committee heard a four-man delegation representing boating and sailing interests yesterday. The executive director
of the Boating Industry Association of New Zealand, Peter Busfield, emphasised the importance of the industry to
Canterbury and that a lack of marina "will make it difficult for the local industry."
The deputation sought a loan of $500,000 so that the marina could be completed.
The committee chairman, Cr. David Close, said yesterday that the proposals were not to be a "bail out of a commercial
venture." The proposal was for a local government-controlled company to complete the marina, he said.
He said the City Council had been accused of taking millions of dollars out of Lyttelton but having put nothing in. "The
Council put $8 million in 1991 into the Port Company when it was in a parlous state financially," Cr. Close said.
Since then the Council had received at least $18 million in dividends from the company, he said.
Sam Fisher Corporate Communication Co-ordinator Christchurch City Council 03 371-1762 025 229 3552