Deep-Water Harbour Plans For Whakatane

Chronicle (Levin), 4 October 1949, Page 3

Deep-Water Harbour Plans For Whakatane

WHAKATANE, Oct. 3. Plans for making a deep-water harbour at Whakatane capable of handling the forestry product trade for the Bay of Plenty have been placed before the Whakatane Harbour Board by the consulting engineer (Mr H. C. Brebner) jfor consideration. The seheme will pro- . bablv be considered by a local bodv conference at Rotorua soon. It is also to be submitted to the Works Department for consideration. The estimated cost is £1,000,0.00. It includes the provision of railwav marshalling yards, and provides foi the straiglitehing of the Whakatane River to flow direct from the present trafiic bridge and to enter the sea about 120 chains north of the present mouth. The seheme envisages a sheltered harbour with water deeper than at the main Auckland wharves. Three sheltering moles and two 800 feet wharves capable of handling any type of shipping likely to use the port are provided for. The river diversion should make available 600 acres of land to be reclaimed for the borough and is believed likely to help solve the Rangitaiki Plains and Whakatane drainage problems. The engineer oft'ers the plan as an alternative to the Government devet opment of Tauranga as a deep sea port, pointing out the saving of about £1000 a week in railage costs on State Forest products but cutting out the ' haul from Edgecumbe to Tauranga. This opinion is baeked " by the Whaka tane Board Mills engineer (Mr A. E. Shaw.).