Marlborough Weekly - 13 July 2021

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Redwood Hub Shopping Centre, Redwoodtown

Phone 03 578 0433

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Tuesday 13 July 2021

Centre gets ‘finz up’

Rangers rack up a hat-trick

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Clash over aquarium closure Paula Hulburt Editor

paula@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

The owners of an aquarium site embroiled at the centre of a bitter lease dispute say their offers to help affected animals

have been shunned. EcoWorld Aquarium & Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is closing following failed lease negotiations with owners Port Marlborough. Aquarium director John Reuhman said last week that some animals housed at the centre would likely

be euthanised due to the closure. Port Marlborough CEO Rhys Welbourn says the council owned company has offered to allow the business to stay on site rent free until all animals are rehomed. He says the offer has been rejected as were continued offers of help

but that all proposals were “still on the table”. John says the foreshore aquarium and cinema attracts about 51,000 people a year and brings in $4.75 million in visitor spend a year. He hit out at the port last week when the closure was announced,

saying it was “gut-wrenching”. He says the centre is currently home to 117 native animals. This includes starfish, rats and crabs, and fish commonly found in Picton harbour.

SEE PAGE 2

Festival for books Radio New Zealand broadcaster Kim Hill interviewing acclaimed author Elizabeth Knox was one of the highlights at the Marlborough Book Festival 2021 at the ASB Theatre Marlborough on Saturday night. Read more on page 5. Photo: Jim Tannock Photography.

Jane Arabella Forrest and Arabella Waghorn chat with Elizabeth Knox.

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