Macduff Harbour economic development plan to be prioritised
A local authority has confirmed a renewed commitment to safeguarding the long-term economic sustainability of a harbour.
Aberdeenshire Council’s harbours sub-committee agreed that developing a robust economic development implementation plan is an urgent priority for Macduff Harbour to secure the vital role it continues to play in the local economy.
Concerns have been raised by the fishing industry and the wider community about cuts to be made at the port which will end the nightwatch provision and decommission the ice plant for a saving of £170,000.
The local authority said the harbour is recognised as the cornerstone of the council’s seven harbours, generating approximately 70 per cent of overall harbour income, albeit also accounting for 75 per cent of total expenditure.
The recently updated economic report highlighted that the port contributes around £11.2 million annually to the local economy and supports an estimated 280 jobs.
The council said this substantial economic impact underscores the necessity of putting Macduff Harbour on a sustainable financial footing.
Recent figures indicate that while income from the slipway remains robust and on target, other revenue streams such as fish landing fees and harbour dues have seen significant declines over the past two decades.
The local authority said this mixed performance has driven the need to recalibrate the focus of harbour activities, the services provided and the charges levied to deliver a robust revenue model to ensure future viability.
The harbour sub-committee endorsed the move to concentrate efforts on developing a comprehensive implementation plan for Macduff Harbour which will explore opportunities to adjust service charges, attract high-value users and secure necessary financial inputs to reverse the current operating deficit.
This will include close dialogue with harbour stakeholders, identification of short, medium and long-term measures and exploration of the potential for grant funding to support infrastructure improvements.
Councillor John Cox, chairman of the harbours sub-committee, said: “Aberdeenshire Council remains wholly committed to ensuring Macduff Harbour continues to be a dynamic economic asset for the region, adapting to evolving market conditions while protecting the substantial economic benefits it brings to the wider area.
“The forthcoming implementation plan will set out concrete measures designed to boost financial performance and promote sustainable growth across the harbour estate.
“While we do fully acknowledge that forthcoming operational changes at the harbour as part of our challenging budget-setting process have sparked local debate, we want to reassure harbour users and the local community that they do remain a top priority.
“There was a clear ask from the sub-committee that we continue having open and transparent discussions in the future with local stakeholders and we will ensure to provide clear communications around our progress and planned initiatives in the months to come.”
Alan Wood, director of the council’s environment and infrastructure services, said: “Given the finite resources we have as a local authority, it is imperative that investments in Macduff – our largest and most prominent harbour – are focused on the support of sectors which will generate increases in high value customers to the harbour and support the wider economy.
“In these extremely challenging financial times, we must consider future investments in Macduff Harbour – and our other harbours – with a clear focus on improving the financial return on that investment.
“The development of the Macduff Harbour Economic Development Implementation Plan is the next critical step in putting concrete proposals together in conjunction with harbour users which will bring about that sustained future of the harbour.”
