COURT APPROVES WAIHEKE MARINA

Waiheke Island will receive a new marina following the Environment Court’s decision to uphold the Auckland Council’s May 2017 approval for the development of a 186-berth marina at Kennedy Bay. 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.