Committee agrees to cut moorings red tape
Cutting proposed red tape around new resource consents for vessel moorings has been agreed to by Waikato Regional
Council’s strategy and policy committee today.
It follows concern, particularly amongst Coromandel boaties, about the need to get a fresh consent for moorings in Zoned
Mooring Areas (ZMAs) after their current ones expire, as well as the proposed costs involved. The new consents are
required because the old 10-year ones, initially brought in without charge between 2002 and 2006, have been
progressively expiring.
However, the committee’s decision would, if implemented by full council, pave the way for the council’s maritime
services section to hold the resource consent for moorings in ZMAs, with boaties simply paying an ongoing annual charge
for a permit to use those moorings.
Having the council hold the consent would mean boaties wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of re-consenting their
moorings or pay for a new consent.
“We see this as a way of cutting the mooring re-consenting red tape and charges that a number of boaties have told us
they are concerned about,” said maritime services manager Nicole Botherway.
“Providing full council agrees to the measure, we will be undertaking targeted consultation with mooring holders about
the best way to introduce the new system. This would occur over the next two months and we encourage mooring holders to
have their say.”
In the meantime, boaties have the option of operating under their current consents until the new system is introduced or
applying for a new individual consent of their own when their old one expires, Mrs Botherway said.
There are 16 ZMAs in Waikato, including at various spots around the Coromandel and at Kawhia and Raglan.
ends