JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
Bayswater Marina Ltd and North Shore City Council

Search for agreement takes new direction

North Shore City Council and Bayswater Marina Ltd (BML) have reluctantly decided to put on hold the jointly-sponsored workshop process initiated earlier this year. This decision was made in the face of resistance by some to residential development at the marina.

In a joint statement issued today, they say the workshops were discussion opportunities for parties who had registered their interest in BML’s appeal to the Environment Court on North Shore City’s District Plan provisions for the land, contained in the council’s decision on Variation 65.

BML and the council will now take time to consider their respective positions and to consult with one another before they meet again, either individually or together, with other workshop participants.

BML’s Simon Herbert says the marina is an important part of the life of the community and it wants to work closely with the council and community to seek their views and input to development plans.

“We think we can further develop the marina site as a world class facility and gateway to Auckland Harbour that we can all be proud of,” Mr Herbert says.

“Nestled as it is in a residential area, we think some form of residential development on the marina site is appropriate, and is also fundamental to making the project economic.

“At the first workshop it became clear there are some parties that aren’t prepared even to discuss potential residential options. BML has decided not to proceed with another workshop as we do not think it would be productive.

“The public interest has been protected through the government’s recent decision to extend the coastal public access strip, which we fully support. We are also mindful of the public interest and community views.”

North Shore City representative, Councillor Tony Barker, says the council regrets that the joint workshop process had been put on hold.

“We will continue to meet with the marina company, interested parties and community representatives to consult and try to resolve issues before the Environment Court hearing,” he says.

“We think it’s in everyone’s interests to keep the lines of communication open. There is a genuine desire to consult and seek input, but at this stage there isn’t enough common ground to continue with the joint workshop process,” Councillor Barker says.

Both parties say they hope to avoid potentially costly legal proceedings by reaching agreement on at least some of the outstanding issues outside of the court system. Matters that cannot be resolved through negotiation will proceed to the Environment Court. Both the council and BML say it is not their preferred option, and had sought an extension from the Court in order to undertake negotiations in the first instance.

“We are perfectly willing to compromise and take on board other views, but the gap was too wide in this instance,” Mr Herbert said.

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