Impact report backs marina

Press, 26 February 1977, Page 9

Impact report backs marina

Parliamentary reporter

The advantages in building a marina at Waikawa Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound outweigh the disadvantages, according to an environmental impact report on rhe proposal. The report has been prepared as a requirement of the environmental protection and enhancement procedures introduced by the Labour Government in 1974. The Commission for the Environment will prepare an environmental audit of the proposal, to be completed early in May, and public submissions on the report have been invited. They must reach the commission by March 28.

The proposal, which is at the planning stage, provides for a navigable area of approximately 5.55 ha., pile mooring facilities for 580 boats with catwalk access to each, a fuelling jetty, pick-up and setdown jetties, and a dock with heavy hoist equipment.

The land part of the marina will include 3.73 ha., of existing land, plus

3.03 ha., of reclaimed land, to contain a launching ramp, a parking area for boats and trailers, a hardstand area for boats, building and slip facilities, and other amenities.

The impact report finds that fears about noise should be groundless as the Picton and Havelock marina have worked for about ten years without drawing complaints from nearbi' residents.

There is little nearby development, but building would be encouraged by the presence of the marina. The land is stated to be of poor farming qual-

“It is concluded that there is a detrimental effect from the development by the loss of about 45 per cent of the environment for tidal-flat marine life,” the report concludes. “The considerable advantages far outweigh this. The recreational improvements for the whole bay are so marked that all is in favour of the velopment of a marina in the south-west corner of Waikawa Bay.”