There are very few places in the world as nice as Whangarei, Paradise!  There are even fewer nice places in the world where sea faring visitors can step off their boats walk 20 metres to restaurants, 100 metres to Pak’N’Save, or have immediate access to quality ships chandlers, night life and dozens of other amenities.  While Ray Roberts is quite correct in pointing out that our marina fees to boat owners are comparable to Tauranga and Gulf Harbour, it remains a fact that Whangarei has much more to offer.... but only so long as boats can actually get in and out at their convenience.

So just how important is it that we attend to these yacht owners’ needs?  The beneficiaries are many:
* Marina “residents” infuse an estimated $10 million into our local economy each year
* Town Basin businesses depend on the patronage of both the yacht owners and particularly on the tourists and town residents attracted to the Town Basin by its picturesque combination of boats and shops.
* WDC and Rate Payers benefit from the rents paid by the Town Basin business whose viability is a function of the attractiveness of the setting
* NRC and town residents and businesses have an ongoing ecological interest in flood damage minimisation… compare dredging costs to the damage caused by the recent flooding of the downtown area!
* Marine businesses have a vital interest in their customers being able to reach them.

It is clear that not dredging the Hatea Channel is not an option!  It is not a matter of “wanting” but rather a matter of “needing” a viable Town Basin, of which the marina is a vital part.  So it comes down to having an overall policy with regard to how the responsibility for dredging costs can be equitably shared by all of the beneficiaries.

It is estimated that such costs would be about $400,000 and if it were to be done every 4 years that would require the creation of a “dredging fund” of about $100,000 per year.  The Marina Trust consistently operates with a net surplus, predicted to be $65,820 this year before loan repayment. (The Marina Trust has asked WDC for a loan to expand the number of berths.  If the loan is approved, then there would still be a predicted $40,820 net surplus which could be expected to rise in the future with more berths bringing in more fees.) Surely $10,000 of the needed $100,000 annual funding could come from the Marina Trust and perhaps even more if in fact the amenities available at the Town Basis would support slightly higher berth fees compared to competing marinas.  The Marina Trust should develop a strategic plan that considers such options.

There is no question that we need the channel kept open.  Hence we need a mutually agreed upon policy for funding that necessity. 

The time is past for mere talk about a policy and action based upon it!  It is time for all interests to be good “citizens” and step up to the challenge of creating and implementing a win-win solution for everyone.