Masts of historic ship restored for riverside tribute to old port

An interactive walking tour of Blenheim’s central business district years in the making has “matured” as the project looks to progress to its next stage.

The Marlborough Mile, first pitched about five years ago, is a 1.3-kilometre walkway around the CBD, celebrating Marlborough’s identity.

Sites in the Marlborough Mile include the Quays, for heritage and culture, Adams Place for climate, Bythell Place for viticulture, Market Place for agriculture and Stadium 2000 for aquaculture. Already constructed, and mostly completed is the aviation site at Liz Davidson Park.

Blenheim Business Association chairperson Lynette Rayner presented an update to councillors on the project last week.

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Through her presentation, Rayner said they were working to develop both sides of the Taylor River, at the Quays site.

The southern side would showcase European settlers, and the “culture” aspect of the site would be on the other side. That side, with input from iwi, would likely be finished sometime next year.

As part of the site, the masts of The Echo, would be installed at the top of the Quays. The Echo was a service ship that operated between Blenheim and Wellington from the 1920s, for 60 years.

A council report said the ship was built in 1905 in Te Kopuru and used as both a merchant ship and then as a rescue boat in World War II.

It docked at Riverside Park (Port Blenheim), and the masts were easily spotted from further down High Street, Blenheim. The two masts would be reinstated to replicate this view, the report said.

The Echo was demolished by Port Marlborough, its owner in 2015, although some valuable historic items were preserved from the ship.

“What could not be restored has been replicated,” Rayner said.

“They will be placed so they align with historic images of the port.”

She said to complement the masts, and to give context, they had created a small replica-like Echo.

“It will be anchored at the zig-zag section going down to the river, and will give a visual affect that it is floating on water,” she said.

At the climate site on Adams Pl, a “striking piece of artwork” had been chosen, that was both interactive and would be lit at night. It would be visible from Main St, Scott St, and down the length of Market St.

“The sculpture communicates the story of our place within the solar system and our wider cultural connection.

“There are three spheres made of polished steel, the interactive element is the ability to turn the central wheel that is the Sun, this then engages the Earth to orbit over head with the Moon then rotating around the earth.”

Meanwhile, plans for Market Pl were being developed. They would include more seating, an improved garden and a mural. Each site had a $200,000 budget.

“Our next steps are final design engineering and consenting for the Quays and Adams Pl, and moving to the design … [of] the agricultural site,” she said.

Councillor Jamie Arbuckle said “as a constituent” he would go into the CBD and “sometimes the vibrancy” wasn’t good.

“That’s just the reality, and that could be because of Covid-19 and the economic situation we are in but anything like this to bring life back into the CBD has to be congratulated.”

He asked that some time frames be put on the project.

Rayner said their “brave” plan was to have Adams Pl completed by October. The Quays had consents to be “ticked off” but that was expected before Christmas. The viticulture and agriculture sites would be looked at after this.

Deputy mayor Nadine Taylor said the project had “really matured”.

She said when it was first put forward, it was a “little bit static”.

“You’ve looked at how to make a place a whole lot better, rather than just adding an item to it.

“You’re actually looking at how to make it a place for people to enjoy … and I think the fact it’s taken time has probably allowed you to do that, so don’t worry about the time.”