Rundown Greymouth Port to get $8 million makeover

It comes as the council has struggled to maintain the critical piece of infrastructure in the West Coast town.

The rundown Greymouth Port is about to undergo a much-needed $8 million makeover after the Grey District Council struggled to maintain the critical piece of infrastructure in the West Coast town.

The cash injection is coming from three different sources: $4.3 million from the Government's Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund, $2.3 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, and $1.2 million from Development West Coast.

The main focus of the multi-million dollar revamp is the rundown, rotting, and moss-covered Richmond Wharf on the Grey River.

Council economic development general manager Peter O'Sullivan said: "It's been going since about 1880, this wharf.

"At times there were sailing ships tied up as far as you could see."

The Richmond Wharf at the Greymouth Port.

But a lot has changed since it was in its prime during the Gold Rush, with the wharf deemed unusable for two decades.

Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson said: "Our port was a really big drain on the ratepayers and still is if we didn't have this funding, it's just a lifeline".

Some of the $8 million will be used to welcome ships back.

"I think it's great, I just can't wait. I think the port really is a great asset," O'Sullivan said.

The new funding will build on other recent upgrades, including a slipway and covered shed that has tripled the number of boats in port for repairs and servicing.

Development West Coast chief executive Heath Milne said: "That just allows more commerce through the port here, and there's actually a lack of those types of facilities through the South Island, which is great for us."

The ageing wharf is about to get a massive cash injection.

A floating pontoon has also been constructed in the marina, with another to come, to replace moorings that are weather-worn and risk damaging fishing boats.

The fishing industry is worth $11 million to Greymouth.

"It's a great opportunity to get that done to set the fishing industry up so it can continue to grow and serve the economy here," Milne said.

The development of Richmond Wharf is still in the design phase, but when finished, it will be able to handle berthing of 100-metre-long ships to service major West Coast exports like mineral sands.

"I think we're on the cusp of getting it back to its former glory," O'Sullivan said.