Port Marlborough Proposes Adjournment Necessary for Waikawa Swing Moorings Solution  
28 April 2008

Port Marlborough has proposed that the bulk resource consent application for 188 swing moorings in Waikawa Bay be adjourned to enable a comprehensive reassessment of boat accommodation space within the bay.

In its submission to the hearing the port company opposed the bulk application on the basis that the continuation of swing moorings in their existing arrangement is an inefficient and environmentally unsustainable use of the limited water space.  The company said that the process before the Commissioner gave a singular opportunity to conduct a comprehensive assessment of how space in the Bay should be allocated.  There was now a chance for all interested parties to contribute to a sustainable, planned solution that will better serve the long-term interests of all stakeholders.

Chairman of Port Marlborough, Mr David Dew said that the substantial increase in the scale of recreational boating and the size of vessels needing to be accommodated in the Inner Queen Charlotte Sound over the past 25 years has resulted in great pressure on the existing resources.  

“Port Marlborough is not opposed to the continuation of swing moorings in Waikawa Bay.  But we do think now is the time to re-think the space-efficiency of the existing formats, and the way they are administered.  The system of individually held swing mooring consents has been superseded in many other areas - both in New Zealand and overseas - where there is pressure on water space,” he said. “Port Marlborough is willing to use its resources to help develop an agreed solution for the moorings in Waikawa Bay that is in the long-term public interest.  For example, there are much more space-efficient swing mooring technologies available that don’t scour the seabed.” 

Mr Dew said that the company does not see itself as generally having any commercial role in the provision of swing moorings outside of the handful of moorings the company owns as part of its existing business.

He said that the company’s research showed there was sufficient space within Waikawa Bay to accommodate all of the applications before the hearing, but not under the existing technology.  A workable solution might include designated Moorings Areas managed by a responsible authority, where swing moorings could be allocated on a long-term permit system to enable ownership and transferability of moorings similar to those afforded by the current individual resource consent approach.  A requirement for better and more space efficient mooring systems and the introduction of safety standards should also be a priority of any new system, he said.