Lyttlelton small-boat facilities for study

Press, 5 January 1979, Page 4

Lyttlelton small-boat facilities for study

An investigation of boat- ; harbour facilities at Lyttelton is among the tasks for 1979 of the newly elected chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board (Mr J. E. Mannering). Mr Mannering, elected chairman at the end of last year, returned to his Cust farm after the New Year holiday in time for shearing, but was in the board’s offices in Christchurch yesterday. One of the matters he discussed yesterday with Harbour Board staff was the possibility of advancing the traditional first meeting of the year from February to Jan-; uary 17. A decision on that is not expected to be announced until all board members have been notified if an earlier meeting will be held. Mr Mannering apparently sees a need for urgency to move some of the board’s! development projects from the drawing board in time; for an expected new generation of shipping. Meanwhile, he said, the, board’s investment in container shipping had to be consolidated and he hoped that; container shipping companies, would note the fast handling at the Lyttelton terminal over Christmas and New Year. “A realisation by the companies and shippers of the I

good performances would t show the wisdom of greater,* use of the terminal to keep ’ costs down,” said Mr Man- < nering. "A greater use of the ter- < minal’s ability to handle more < containers at the terminal t without additional labours and plant would keep operations more competitive,” he c said. ;t One of Mr Mannering’s 1 1979 hopes, he said was at reversion to compatible conditions for coastal shipping to i combat rising internal freight < costs. < “Improved handling f methods at the ports must be < introduced to compete with 1 internal transport costs,” he said. 1 Mr Mannering said that en- I vironmental considerations 1 would be taken into account : in the board’s development; programme. The establish- I ment of recreational facilities I ■ was one way towards achiev- ! ing this. ' I “Lyttelton Harbour is in I 1 great demand for recreational t sailing and boating and I I would like to see a self- i supporting boat harbour deiveloped,” he said. i “Because of this apparent i need I intend to have a thor- 1 ough investigation into the | viability of a small-craft har- i bour made without delay.” 1 Mr Mannering also plans i

the development this year of the inner harbour to prepare! for the changing patterns ofi shipping, including the large' quarter-ramp roll-on vessels.! “Back-up facilities for bulk! carriers and the development! of fishing-industry facilities are things we must look hard at in the very near future. “The board expects an increasing volume of trade on the Tasman run which will fully use the existing rollon facilities. “And of course, the board is eagerly waiting for a decision on the Mount Davey coal export shipment plans for Japan and plans have been drawn up for bulk berthage for this trade. “We are quite confident that when the coal is ready for export it will go from Lyttelton," Mr Mannering said. Only by full use could the best equipment and facilities: be provided. “Provided they must be if we, as a port, are to service the largest city, industrial and agricultural areas in the South Island,” Mr Mannering said. “By doing this we will effectively link with international markets and I am confident that Canterbury im-| porters and exporters will continue their invaluable sup-( port of the board to increase: trade in 1979,” he said.