Funds needed for Waiheke Island marina battle
Wednesday, 20 December 2017
The drive to stop a marina at Kennedy Point on Waiheke Island is at a crucial financial point, says Save Kennedy Point (SKP).
The community group has raised about $125,000, but needs another $100,000 in the next 10 weeks to pay costs for an Environment Court hearing in February, SKP chairperson David Baigent said.
SKP has lodged an appeal in the Environment Court against an Auckland Council consent for Kennedy Point Boatharbour Limited to build a 186-berth marina.
Lawyer Daniel Sadlier is representing SKP and the group has five expert witnesses, 13 lay people, four witnesses from Piritahi Marae and five independent witnesses presenting evidence to the court against the marina, which would occupy 7.3 hectares of Putiki Bay.
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Avian expert Manu Bird, coastal processes expert Shaw Mead, landscape experts John Hudson and Sally Peake and planner Mark Arbuthnot will present evidence for SKP.
'This appeal is about the dangers of pollution, the loss of a public amenity and the risks posed to fauna like the little blue penguin,' Baigent said.
The group is asking the community to 'dig deep' to help fund the appeal.
'Overall it has been a fantastic response from the community so far.
'We just have this final hurdle to get to our goal,' Baigent said.
The Environment Court hearing will be held in Auckland in the week starting on February 26, 2018.
The court has received about 70 statements for and against the marina plans.
The main parties are Kennedy Point Boatharbour Limited, Auckland Council, SKP, and Ronald Walden, who is also appealing against the consent for a marina.
The marina company is presenting evidence from 16 people, including a wide range of expert witnesses.
The council also has 10 expert witnesses giving evidence and Auckland Transport will present evidence from a traffic expert.
Kennedy Point Supporters Group has six people giving evidence, including two experts.
Representatives from Waiheke's Piritahi Marae have joined SKP's appeal, saying the marina poses a threat to the environment and to cultural values in an area steeped in Maori history.
Ngati Paoa Iwi Trust, which has mana whenua status on the island but is based at marae in the Waikato, has filed evidence in support of the marina company.
Morehu Wilson said in his written evidence the marina company had consulted with iwi in a respectful way.
'The proposal for a safe harbour for boats in Kennedy Bay is consistent with the cultural and traditional use of landscapes of this area,' Wilson stated.
Although traditional values need to be upheld, 'Ngāti Paoa does not wish to miss further opportunities for economic development', he said.
The SKP Kiwibank account is 38 9018 0812104 000 or see www.skp.org.nz and www.kennedypointmarina.co.nz.