MARINA LAND SALES ON HOLD
Six of Auckland’s 12 marinas are privately owned with the remainder owned by council and operated by Panuku.
Councillors at a planning committee meeting in early September decided to halt the sale of marina assets until a strategic plan is developed for the city’s 12 marinas, following vocal opposition by boaties and local communities.
Several groups, including the Auckland Marina Users Association, oppose moves from the council’s development arm, Panuku, to sell marina assets from council-owned Pine Harbour, Bayswater and Hobsonville marinas for development.
The council’s strategic approach to marinas was criticised by the association, which called for a halt on the sale of marina land until an independent strategy is developed.
Mayor Phil Goff, ignoring recommendations from his officers to complete the strategic approach by December, possibly excluding the public, said it was better to be thorough, not rush it, and get it right.
“This is an opportunity for Auckland boaties to make contact and contribute, for the first time, to a global marina strategy for Auckland,” says Euan Little, chairman of Westhaven Marina Users Association.
“This is a huge opportunity to glean a variety of opinions. Traditionally Panuku have severely restricted proper consultation and this is the very first opportunity to prove to Council that public consultation can be effective and easy to gain and manage.
“At AMUA, we believe that we have this chance to make a point with Council, to prove the Panuku approach to be flawed and to establish longer term and better protection for all of the marinas in Auckland.”
Little encourages boaties to contact their respective Marina Berth Holder Associations.
COURT APPROVES WAIHEKE MARINA
Environment Court Judge Laurie Newhook says the “overall outcome concerning natural character, landscape and visual amenity values … is that … the proposal is appropriate development in this location; will have only minor adverse effects on the landscape and natural character of the environment; and will have a range of effects, the great majority of them minor, on visual amenity values present in Kennedy Bay and around Putiki Bay and varying to positive and adverse depending on viewer attitude and visual perception.
“We consider that when analysed in this way, the marina would fit well into the landscape of Kennedy and Putiki Bays, provide a largely positive contribution to the experience and amenities of Waiheke Island, and offer adverse effects that in the round will be no more than minor.”
Tony Mair, director of Kennedy Point Boatharbour Ltd, the successful applicant, is delighted with the decision. “The Court has endorsed all of the effort we put into the project. All of our design innovations and the engagement process we followed with key stakeholders Ngati Paoa and Sealink have been affirmed.”
The marina will use New Zealand-first floating breakwater technology from Sweden, including floating pontoons for access, car-parking and marina buildings. It will include space for public pick-up and drop-off and day berthage for small boats visiting the island. A café, kayak/SUP storage and community meeting space will be developed. Donald Bruce Road will also be widened to improve ferry queuing.
The Court noted that the “proposal is actually and positively notable for the extent to which it offers public access during hours of daylight and other facilities accessible to the public such as community rooms, a café, and carparking. We consider that the Applicant has found a good balance between the needs of safety and security on the one hand, and public access on a managed basis on the other.”
Mair is disappointed with the additional costs and delays incurred due to local opposition, forcing the project to the Environment Court. The appeals cost his company in excess of $300,000.
Final design work will be completed in a few months, after which the marketing and sale of berths will commence. Berths will range from 10-25m in length.
For more information visit www.kennedypointmarina.co.nz
