Boat brief
Proposals for the redevelopment of the land surrounding Auckland’s Westhaven Marina have been vigorously resisted for two years – and it’s not over. Euan Little, chairman of the Westhaven Marina Users Association (WMUA), is urging all boaties to attend th
Marina under pressure
BNZ You want to use the AGM to outline a proposed change to the WMUA’S constitution. Can you provide some background? What’s triggered this?
EL The WMUA committee has been involved for some two years now in a battle about Auckland City’s proposed plans. These plans involve the delineation of Westhaven, as encompassed in the Unitary Plan. This poses grave risks for the marina’s future. BNZ What’s contained in the proposed plans? EL Auckland City wanted to include Westhaven in the ‘City Centre’ zone under the Unitary Plan, putting the marina at risk of development creep from the city centre, which would have an adverse affect on marina facilities. We quickly registered our objection when the plans became public.
By the time the deadline for objections rolled around, we were the sole protester – and we were offered a hearing. We approached stakeholders in the Westhaven precinct and mounted a successful legal campaign which went to a hearing.
Auckland City objected but the Independent Hearings Panel delivered in our favour, recognising the unique nature of Westhaven, stating that it is close to, but not part of the Auckland City centre. It decreed that the area shall be a marina zone and support only marine and marina-related businesses, thereby reducing the potential for development creep. BNZ On the face of it, that seems to be a victory. What’s the constitution change all about? EL Although the threat of development creep within the Westhaven Basin appears to have been averted, Auckland Council and its subsidiaries have shifted their gaze to the ‘ownership’ of Westhaven marina. The marina precinct has been placed in a ‘neutral’ zone and our mayor now wants to dispose of ‘neutral’ assets to fund more pressing council activities. BNZ So you’re extending your AGM call to the wider boating public? Not just WMUA members? EL Correct. Traditionally, WMUA has represented only the interests of the berth holders and renters who contribute financially to the operation of Westhaven marina. But we believe there’s a need to position WMUA as the single, go-to body, to liaise not only with existing berth owners but also any potential marina users. We want to ensure that the people who use Westhaven on a regular basis are represented. BNZ Who are these potential users likely to be? EL It’s very broad. Stakeholders include the berth holders, yacht and boating clubs, yacht and boating crew members, dragon boaters, waka racers, sailing schools, one-design yacht clubs, stand-up paddle boarders, model yacht racers, commercial operators in the marina, iwi and local residents’ associations. BNZ What’s preventing you from representing these new users? EL Our constitution. We want to change its wording to incorporate new potential users, not just the berth holders and renters. And to do that we need the support of not only WMUA members but all marina users. BNZ