An emotional aquarium director John Reuhman says he feels numb, describing the decision as unbelievable and gut-wrenching .
He says most of the animals will have to be put down - unless the council gives them more time to move the facility, or makes a U-turn altogether. I feel sick, he told Newshub. It s a great way to lose sleep, lose 5 kilos and get shingles - that s the effect it has on a human being. It s just unbelievable… they [the council] just say it s a lease problem… they re just treating this place like a boatshed.
He said there s has been a lack of kindness, no compassion, no goodwill and no empathy after 20 years of dedicated work.
Covid-19: Sixty Wellington to Marlborough flights since positive case in capital stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
An artist s impression of what the larger ferry terminal could look like, in Picton.
Photo: Supplied
About 200 workers are estimated to be needed to build the replacement terminal, which would accommodate KiwiRail s new larger ferries.
The construction project was approved last week, and is a partnership between Port Marlborough, the Marlborough District Council, KiwiRail and Waka Kotahi.
The council s long-term plan, which is open for feedback, warned the terminal was one of two projects set to stretch Marlborough s already very tight housing supply .
Options to help ease the problem could include hotels, motels and camping grounds, which would benefit [after] the decline in business caused by the coronavirus pandemic and border closures.
Chloe Ranford Local Democracy Reporter09:01, May 10 2021
Brya Ingram
The Villa Backpackers Lodge owner Rob Burn outside his hostel, which he is willing to sell to house new ferry terminal workers.
The owner of a backpacker hostel in Picton has offered to sell his property to help house the 200 workers needed to build a new multimillion-dollar ferry terminal. The project – a partnership between Port Marlborough, the Marlborough District Council, KiwiRail and Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency – was approved last week and is needed to accommodate KiwiRail’s new larger ferries. The council s long-term plan, which is open for feedback, said the ferry terminal was one of two projects set to “stretch” Marlborough’s “already very tight housing supply”.
Dredging part of the Waitohi Picton development project May 7, 2021, by Zlatan Hrvacevic
An expert consenting panel has granted fast-track approval for the redevelopment of the Waitohi Picton ferry precinct and surrounding infrastructure, to allow for larger ships to berth, informs the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority.
The project involves construction of new terminal buildings and an overbridge. It also includes some coastal reclamation, dredging of Picton Harbour, works within the Waitohi Awa, creation of seawalls, and culvert upgrades.
The new wharf will be 280 metres long, compared to the current wharves that are 160 metres and 186 metres long.
If all goes well, the construction of the new ferry terminal will begin in in early 2022 and take about four years to complete.