Following the hearing described in this article (below), the Marlborough District Council granted 22 individual coastal permits and land use consents for the cluster of existing boatsheds on the south eastern shore line of Waikawa Bay.
Approval was on the basis that none of the subject sheds will contain any living or accommodation facilities and are repaired as required to be structurally sound. Also exterior cladding or colour schemes will need to meet reflection standards and any exterior glazing shall be shuttered or covered when not in use. These are standard requirements that are imposed on any other boatshed application in the Marlborough Sounds.
This collective proposal required significant coordination by Remac Consulting between multiple Applicants all with different expectations and resources. Also, the preliminary consultation work undertaken with local residents and iwi was important, their strong supporting submissions were a vital factor for the Applicants.
The end result was a positive decision that reflects community opinion.
Waikawa Boat Sheds – photo credit: Scott Hammond
The article runs:
Marlborough District Council is deciding whether these Waikawa Bay boatsheds should get their coastal permits renewed or if they should be pulled down to increase the recreational value of the area.
Owners of the 22 run down Waikawa Bay boatsheds have been warned by the council that they can’t be used as temporary accommodation if their coastal permits are renewed.
The old sheds, which require significant structural work, are famed among photographers and painters for their striking colour palette. The boatsheds are located to the north of the public launching ramp at Waikawa Bay.
Applicants told a resource consent hearing yesterday at the council that they wanted 15-year coastal permits and land use consents for the boatsheds, slipways and jetties.
If the consent is refused by the committee the boatsheds will be pulled down.
Applicants argued the sheds were necessary for storing, launching, retrieval, rigging and washing down small boats. They agreed they would not be used for accommodation or business purposes.
It follows complaints by members of the public and a probe by the council’s compliance department that one of the sheds was listed on Trade Me in 2009 for sale as a lifestyle block.
An inspection by a council resource management officer found one shed was kitted out with a kitchen, cooker, fridge, shower, tables, chairs and a TV. Two sheds had ladders to sleepout platforms. One shed had an extension added with a chimney, water tanks and a CCTV camera, all without building consent.
Resource management officer Peter Johnson said if council granted consent with strict conditions, they would have power to hand out a $750 per day fine on those who breached rules.
Council’s compliance department could complete annual inspections of the sheds.
If council refused the application, the boatsheds would be removed, providing a recreational resource for kayaking, swimming and fishing, Johnson said.
Engineer Leigh McGlynn said significant structural work needed to be done to the sheds within 12 months, including replacing piles, rotten boards and missing bolts.
Paul Williams has a yacht moored offshore from the boatsheds. Imposing strict rules would put the onus on owners to use them only for boats, Williams said. “If boat owners think they are getting a defacto bach they are in for an awkward position.”
Shed owner Yvonne Dasler said the blue and green sheds were one of the most vibrant parts of Marlborough.
Erroll McConnell used his shed to store and wash down his kayaks, dinghies and a 6.5-metre boat. He was bewildered council took the application to a hearing, despite five support statements and no objections to the proposal.
The hearing was a waste of ratepayer money, McConnell said.
Demand for private boat sheds was at premium, he said.
Port Marlborough, owned by Marlborough District Council Holdings Limited, has a commercial operation to store boats.
– The Marlborough Express
The original article can be seen here.
