Auckland Regional Council; Marina Fees Petition

Bymnews

Boaties at a number of Auckland marinas have some serious and justifiable concerns about the sea-bed charges made by the Auckland Regional Council (ARC). Those affected are:

Half Moon Bay / Buckland�s Beach Yacht Club
West Park Marina
Pine Harbour Marina

A petition has been organised to protest the high level of fees that boaties are required to pay at these marinas to the ARC, while other marinas in Auckland do not sustain such charges. These fees are not the same as the Coastal Occupational Charges proposed under Section 64A of the Resource Management Act 1991.

While the ARC and a number of other regional councils have decided not to proceed with Coastal Occupational Charges (at least for now) it cannot be assumed that these taxes on our sport and recreation will not re-appear in the future. Coastal Occupation Charges are a fee that is paid by any person benefiting from occupying the Coastal Marine Area to the exclusion of the public. It is a form of compensation to the community for the loss of access to that space.

It is Yachting New Zealand�s view that sailing clubs � which are �Not for Profit� organisations � should be treated no differently to land based sports clubs or indeed churches with respect to council fees and levies. Remember the principle is �compensation for the community loss of access to that space�.

It is relevant to note that Ports of Auckland is 100% owned by Auckland Regional Holdings, a statutory investment entity accountable to the Auckland Regional Council. To what extent are or will port companies be charged to compensate the community for its loss of access to that space? All we ask for is equitable treatment of water based sports and their recreational facilities.

<< back to news

to the top