Māpua boat ramp
Your February 2 article with the Māpua Sea Scouts excited about their proposed new building is not the whole story.
The service trenches and sumps for this building will require the excavation of 70m3 of contaminated pesticide residue currently secured beneath the engineered cap over the Waterfront Park.
The consents applied for do not include a discharge consent for contaminated washdown water from their boats, or a building consent for the boat shed.
The artist’s impression can’t describe the inconvenience to Māpua in the weekends and holidays, of 80 or more vehicles towing boats travelling along Aranui Rd, turning into Tahi St, queuing to use the ramp, parking and later returning along the same route.
There is also the loss of 60% of green space on the west of Tahi St allocated for vehicles with boat trailers, plus the 45 public car parks.
Do the ratepayers agree with gifting this valuable residential land to the Māpua Boat Club? Submissions on the application are open until February 26.
The Māpua Master Plan is up for discussion in March and this proposed takeover by boating interests needs to be challenged.
Jenny Easton, Stoke (February 6)
Do Māpua residents realise what will be unleashed if the much publicised boat ramp and potential building at Mapua Waterfront Park go ahead?
Māpua Wharf precinct is a destination for its scenic attractions, ambience, tranquility, and family friendly activities (wharf jumping, fishing, paddle boarding). Thousands are attracted there and traffic congestion is a problem.
Alongside this, we have a proposal for a 48-metre-long, 11m-wide concrete boat ramp on public land with associated activity and noise catering for up to 78 vehicles pulling boats, for which parking will be provided.
The congestion on Toru St, Aranui Rd, and on Māpua channel during weekends and holidays, especially October to April, will completely alter the area and create safety nightmares.
There is the likelihood of smell from fish waste and dumped shells. You only have to visit the Nelson Marina to get an idea. The two spheres of activity are incompatible.
If the Māpua Boat Club moves off the wharf to the new site as in the final Consent Application section B03, this would put a large private building with 11 car parks on public land and the existing buildings could be leased by the Tasman District Council to commercial interests, almost guaranteeing the end of public access to the wharf for free activities.
Submissions to the TDC close on February 26.
Judy Mitchell, Māpua (February 7)