Council’s marina land sale on hold after backlash

The sale of council-owned marina land in Auckland for housing has been put on hold after a public backlash.

Councillors at yesterday’s planning committee decided to halt the sale of marina assets until a strategic plan was developed for the city’s 12 marinas.

The decision follows vocal opposition by boaties and communities to moves from the council’s development arm, Panuku, to sell marina assets for development.

Panuku has been criticised over its handling of planned development and potential sale of land for development at Pine Harbour, Bayswater and Hobsonville marinas.

Auckland has 12 marinas, six privately owned and six owned by council and operated by Panuku.

Councillors yesterday put plans to develop a strategic approach to marina assets on hold to do more work after hearing from the Marina Users Association.

The council’s strategic approach to marinas was criticised by the association, which called on a halt to the sale of marina land until an independent strategy was developed.

Association chairman Richard Steel questioned the independence of the council and its development arm, Panuku, and called for the association to be involved.

With 135,000 boaties in Auckland, the strategy was an opportunity to address recreational and placemaking opportunities for the city’s 12 marinas, Steel said.

Mayor Phil Goff said he was not comfortable with a report from officers that recommended completing the strategic approach by December and possibly excluding the public.

He said it was better to be thorough, and get it right.