LARNACA PORT AND MARINA - 'NO' TO DEVELOPMENTS WITHOUT LAND SPACES - Filenews 30/3 by Natasa Christoforou
The landscape regarding the development of the port and marina of Larnaca remains murky, more than a month after the presentation of the proposals of the Ministry of Transport, on the basis of a study by the Superfund of Greece. This is because Larnaca rejects developments that do not include land spaces. It is recalled that the proposals presented favour projects by the Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA), in order to better serve the ships in the port and to increase the capacity of the marina by 200 boats.
"F" recorded the views of the Larnaca institutions, from which it is clear that what was presented on February 20 before the Development Committee will not be accepted as it is. Now, the submission of a proposal by the CPA is expected in five weeks, which will also include developments in the land areas. Then, the Development Committee will meet for decisions, having before it the proposal of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which proposes, among other things, the announcement of an international architectural competition for the development of land spaces. "Any proposal cannot be theoretical. We want costing and timetables. However, without the development of land areas, no proposal can be accepted. We do not give a blank check to anyone and in order to make a decision as a municipal council we need specific data", said the mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras.
In the same vein, the president of the Larnaca District Self-Government Organization (EOAL), Angelos Hadjicharalambous, indicated that the proposal presented was incomplete. "He did not have the necessary information to be able to take a position. As EOAL we want development in all three pillars (marina, port and land areas). Any other solution does not find us in agreement," he stressed.
ETAP asks for tourist orientation
Of interest is the proposal of the Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP), which calls for projects that enhance the tourist orientation of the city. In the proposal, which is revealed by "F", it is noted that the development should establish the city as a hub of maritime tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean.
"The primary goal is the clear tourist orientation of the port, with an emphasis on cruise, yachting and maritime tourism, with mild commercial uses and other activities that do not cause nuisance, excluding heavy industrial uses and hydrocarbon trafficking. Proper location is an indisputable condition, while the parallel implementation of the Vasilikos Port project is necessary to serve the nuisance loads", notes ETAP. He also adds that there must be the possibility of serving large cruise ships over 250-300m. "Without this possibility, Larnaca lags behind international trends, loses market share and competitive advantage as a maritime tourism destination. At the same time, the development of homeporting takes advantage of the proximity of the airport, significantly strengthening the local economy", he says and indicates that a functional integration of the port – marina – city with the coastal front, a modern cruise terminal and adequate transport infrastructure is required.
"The marina must be upgraded and expanded, serving yachts, mega yachts, mini cruises and diving boats, with suitable berths and quality support services. Land development should include mild, accessible and sustainable infrastructure for leisure, culture and small-scale tourist uses", notes ETAP. In addition, it is proposed that the port be developed by the Ports Authority and the marina by the Ministry of Transport or the ALK, in order to avoid delays. At the same time, it is requested that "a process of infrastructure management be activated in cooperation with private individuals, through PPP/BOT, ensuring effective operation, attracting know-how and strategic investments".
The positions of the MPs
Prodromos Alambritis: We are in no way satisfied with the proposal that has come, since it does not include the development of land areas, it is not costed and there are no timetables. We are not interested in whether there will be separate development from other investors, however, we want investments to be made in the land area so that the city has the development it needs. We want to see a unified design, but also the projects that were included in the previous plans, such as the road that will connect Finikoudes with the entrance of the port. Financial figures are also needed, to see if the CPA has the resources for the projects.
Andreas Pasiourtidis: The proposal as it came from the Ministry of Transport cannot be accepted, because it does not include the development of the land areas between the marina and the port. AKEL from the first moment, after the shipwreck, had said that on the basis of the development plan that will be presented by ALK, we would like the port to remain under its management. How big the development will be and what form it will take is something we are discussing, as long as it does not alter the character of the city and can be sustainable.
Christos Orphanides: When the study was assigned to the Superfund, I disagreed and it was the main reason for my departure from the ad hoc committee. Back then, I was alone. I have verified that the Fund could not respond. What is being attempted is the division of forces between Larnaca with the proposals for separation and the non-development of land areas. The proposal of the Ministry of Transport takes us back years and will create delays. The CPA must bring a specific proposal so that we can study it and be part of the decisions. Until recently, the government said that the ALK could not undertake such a task.
Andreas Apostolou: A significant part of the land area must be used for the benefit of the citizens of Larnaca. My position, which I submitted to all stakeholders, is that part of the land space be used for the construction of the CMMI center of excellence for the sea and an innovation hub accessible to our young people. This position is adopted and preferred by the Center of Excellence itself, which is a diamond for the city. The projects in the marina should be implemented immediately, with specific timetables, as the State has committed. My position on the port is that we should invest mainly in its tourist operation.
Sotiris Ioannou: We believe that the information from the Ministry of Transport should have been more complete and should also concern the land areas. We have no objection to the state (CPA) or a private person taking over the projects, as long as the vision of Larnaca is satisfied. We believe that after the collapse of the agreement, the Development Committee should determine for itself exactly what it wants to develop and convey this to both the government and would-be investors. Personally, I am not dogmatic about unified development, but it is necessary to have unified planning.
Vafeadis does not reject the development of land areas
"F" raised the positions of the Larnaca bodies to the Minister of Transport, who clarified that "we are not negative on the issue of land spaces", noting that what concerns is how much space will be given. "We do not want decisions to be made that will degrade the port's ability to become operational. We believe that there is a possibility to give land spaces and it is an issue that must be properly studied in order to make the right decisions", added Alexis Vafeadis, stressing that the decisions of Larnaca are expected, so that the plans can proceed to the next stage. "We divide the next stage into two phases: The first is the projects that can be done immediately in the port and marina and the second is the one with the land areas. I agree with the suggestion (of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry) for an architectural competition, which will also provide us with solutions on how to connect Finikoudes with the new beach in the area of the former refineries."
Mr. Vafeadis also underlined that the project of the Nautical Club in the marina will proceed, for which an architectural competition will be announced. Concluding, he noted that "with a constructive mood, all the right solutions will be found", adding that "I am happy that there is ground for unanimity on these issues".
