Marina-plan critics fight on

Four organisations affected by the proposed Bayswater Marina reclamation residential development have now lodged appeals against its resource consent.

The Bayswater Community Committee (BCC), Auckland Yacht and Boating Association, Bayswater Marina Berth Holders Association and Takapuna Rowing Club all put in notices of appeal in late January.

In a decision released just prior to Christmas 2022, planning commissioners approved a plan including 78 dwellings, 20 car and boat-trailer parks, public open space of 8081 sqm and the retention of an area of 4981 sqm in a central precinct for marina and marine-related activities.

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The construction period is likely to last at least 10 years.

Under planning law, other opposing submitters can join on to the appeals already lodged in the Environment Court. BCC is planning a public workshop for residents wanting to know more about the appeal process.

Already, the Auckland Marina Users Association has said it will join the appellants. A key driver for the appeals has been the denial of natural justice, says BCC. Following the hearing of submissions, Auckland Council withdrew support for the original proposal based on council’s expert and submitter evidence.

Bayswater Marina Holdings, the landowner, then prepared and submitted a heavily modified proposal to the commissioners in its closing statement at the hearing.

The commissioners did not allow any further submissions. BCC says this left the modified scheme approved by the commissioners untested.

“The commissioners have left community organisations with no alternative but to challenge the decision through an appeal to the Environment Court and to carry the burden of those costs,” BCC said.

The continuing opposition is not directed at the redevelopment of the marina reclamation to provide housing. The appellants say they are not ‘nimbys’.

But they are adamant that the modified proposal does not achieve the primary purpose of the precinct. They say regional marine facilities are lost under the proposal, as is the chance to integrate public transport services and give better access to parking and public spaces.