Marlborough Berth and Mooring Association (MBMA) is changing how it communicates with its members. The Association acts as the members’ advocate with Port Marlborough but to be as effective as possible we need interaction from members. We will be seeking feedback and comments from you to strengthen our activities.

Currently affecting boat owners are issues such as parking, security gates, and mooring consents. These are under discussion with Marlborough Marinas and the Marlborough District Council but let us know your thoughts on any issues of relevance around the Sounds by email; mbma@xtra.co.nz

Progress on Consents for Moorings

MBMA had lodged two bulk resource consent applications for moorings on behalf of MBMA members in Waikawa Bay. These applications were intended as a stop-gap measure to maintain the validity of the existing resource consents for the moorings and were put on hold while Marlborough District Council investigated development of a Mooring Management Area (MMA) and associated licenses for the moorings under the Local Government Act. Also considered were space saving moorings, ways to reduce damage to the seabed and possible reorganisation of the moorings themselves. An agreement was reached with all parties at the time as to how this would look and work going forward.

Council staff have now decided that, for a number of reasons including that new space efficient tackle has not had long term testing and the MMA is a major and expensive undertaking, a comprehensive MMA and associated licensing under the Local Government Act is not feasible or wise to progress at present.

As a result, once mooring ownership information has been updated Council will publicly notify both bulk resource consent applications and will recommend a 10 year term for new resource consents for these moorings. Given the elapsed time and some changes to relevant information, MBMA may have to supply some further information. The 10 year consents will allow time for the thorough testing and evaluation of the new space efficient Salm & Bungee moorings that have been laid in the new NW mooring field and the possibility of other space efficient systems becoming available so a better decision can be made in 10years’ time regarding the bay wide MMA.

Live Aboards

In the past liveaboards were welcomed in the Marinas. MBMA believes they play an important role in the on-going security of the marinas, as they do in other marinas around the country. Marlborough Marinas has introduced a policy of ‘natural attrition’ by refusing all new applications. We are told this is based on resource consent conditions for ablution blocks. The Association has challenged this policy and reminded the management of the times when liveaboards have raised the alarm on fires and other major security issues.

Dinghy Launching Ramp

Marlborough Marinas is considering a recommendation from the Association that the temporary dinghy launching ramp on the NW Trust breakwater at Waikawa be shifted to the North East side once the marina extension is completed. This would allow for safer and easier launching for people with dinghies stored in this area.

Car Parking

Space is at a premium at Christmas/New Year and Easter and Marlborough Marinas is working on a plan to increase car parking for these times. From February to November carparks are plentiful but berths are only allocated one space with penalties applied to breaches. The Association supports a more flexible approach to car parking outside of busy times and is taking this up with management. Suggestion has been made to PM that yearly car parking stickers could still be issued for the months of February to November only so as not to impact the busy months. New Car Parking Areas MBMA has asked PM to investigate new areas that can be developed for car parking to ease the pressure. In the original plans there was an area up behind one of the ablution blocks on the West side that showed as being an area that could be developed.

Car Parks on Te Ara Kaimoana Drive

Suggestion has been made to PM that the first two car parks on the right after you turn off Beach Rd into Te Ara Kaimoana Drive need to be removed. There have been many near misses in this area as you need to cross over the centre line when passing cars or boat trailers in these parks which puts you in a head on situation with vehicles turning into this road that generally drift towards the centre line. We believe this is dangerous and a health and safety issue.

Security Gates

These are being installed at all jetties with the access options to be confirmed. Currently Trust Berths with gates can only be opened IN or OUT with an access card – totally unacceptable, and possibly illegal, in emergency situations. MBMA will ensure that access meets berth holders’ needs.

Casual Berths

MBMA has been requesting more casual berths for some time. Marlborough Marinas is looking to provide these once the marina extension is completed.

Sub-leasing Berths

When PM sub-leases available berths they only credit back 70% of what the berth holder pays. As a result many berth holders tell us they are reluctant to inform management when their berths could be available for sub-lease. MBMA is pushing for a fairer system which would free up more berth space during holiday periods. We have suggested that berth holders should be refunded a higher percentage and casual renters be charged out at a higher rate.

Don’t forget – please let us know of any issues you would like us to take up on your behalf, or any comments you have on the issues we are already dealing with.

email address is: mbma@xtra.co.nz

We look forward to hearing from you.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year & safe and happy boating.