Plans to redevelop Tauranga's marine precinct have stalled after two business consortiums refused to cover the cost of a geotechnical report on the Mirrielees Road site in Sulphur Point.

Tauranga City Council property manager Anthony Averill says despite strong interest in the site from two groups – neither wanted to pay for a survey underneath the 5ha site to determine whether it sustain a marine travel lift.

Anthony is now preparing a report looking at the council's options for the proposed marine precinct, which he will present in two months' time.

'I'm expecting there is a certain amount that we'll have to do to minimise risk for developers.”

He says one option is for council to undertake the geotechnical survey, but he was uncertain what that would cost.

Council wants to see the site, which stretches from the Harbour Bridge to Cross Street, developed into a hub for the marine industry to help revive the sector which has been affected by loss of the 600 tonne slipway that was sold to make way for the second bridge.

A proposal by council staff for the council to fund a ‘basic' development of the site with a hard stand area and 300 tonne travel lift was rejected in February.

Under the proposal the development would have been paid for from the sale of Glasgow Street properties and the Placemakers site.

In May the council revived plans for the precinct, calling on any interested parties to stump up for the geotechnical survey to ensure the 300tonne marine travel lift can be supported on the reclaimed land.

The question over who will pay for the travel lift, which is needed to attract bigger boats, appears to be another key sticking point with the project.

'We still believe in the opportunity that the site presents for a marine refit and that would be a great boost for Tauranga and would assist the marine sector in what has been a challenging environment.”

He is looking at ways the council can help 'reduce some of the unknowns” and minimise the risk for developers.