Regeneration scheme for Perth Harbour
Last updated | 31/05/2008
The Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to approve a regeneration strategy for Perth Harbour when it meets on Wednesday 4 June.
The aim of the proposal is to improve facilities and increase cargoes and business at the Harbour.
The committee will consider a Business Review of the Harbour, which says it handled commodities worth £82.8m in 2007/08, and employs 170 people directly and indirectly.
Members will also be told that a survey of Harbour users carried out for the review raised some issues for the future of the facility, including:
• A shortage of covered and open storage
• The harbour’s low profile among the local business community
• The tidal nature of the Harbour limits the number of cargoes that can be handled
• The lack of a rail head.
A number of business review options for the future of the Harbour will be set out before the committee. The favoured option is to launch a regeneration strategy which would address the issues highlighted in the Business Review.
Under the proposals the Council and the main Harbour users will set up a Task Group led by the Council, tasked to take forward strategic issues.
The Council will commit to setting out costed storage options for the immediate Harbour area, and will also set up a marketing system for the Harbour.
The issue of high transit costs, including the additional charging of cargoes heading to Perth by Forth Ports and Dundee Harbour Authority, will be taken up by the Council through the Task Group.
Harbour users and the Council will also meet on a regular basis to exchange market information.
Under the plan it is hoped Perth Harbour will become financially self-sufficient within five years.
Enterprise and Infrastructure Vice Convener, Councillor Ann Gaunt, said: “The Harbour is an important economic driver for Perth. It is a very efficient niche port which has managed to survive and prosper, when many small ports in the UK have struggled.
“However we do need to take the Harbour forward to capitalise on opportunities that are available. A number of key issues have been identified, like storage, new business and marketing.
“I believe these issues can be addressed through the new strategy. By working with our partners we can secure a prosperous future for the Harbour and so I will be recommending that committee members approve this plan.”
