Boatie revolt against ramp fees

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A revolt by some boaties against unpopular ramp fees has played its part in them being ditched in Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula and they may also go in Tairua and Pauanui.

The scheme was met with outrage from many boaties when it was introduced by the Thames-Coromandel District Council in December 2009.

Boaties were charged $6 per day or $65 per year to park their trailers in specified areas near ramps. There were fines for parking there without a permit and fines for parking trailers in unspecified areas near ramps. Enforcement of registration and warrants of fitness for vehicles, trailers and tractors also increased.

In some areas, such as Whangapoua, Matarangi and Cooks Beach, there was significant non-compliance with the scheme and signs were ripped out.

In areas such as Whitianga and Kuaotunu, most boaties paid up. About $60,000 was generated in Mercury Bay, which has the most public boat ramps on the peninsula.

In December last year, the newly elected council suspended enforcement until June 30 this year and asked community boards to decide what should happen in their wards.

A series of meetings in Mercury Bay's five main communities in March, organised by the local community board produced an overwhelming vote against fees and this week, the board recommended the council cancel the scheme in Mercury Bay.

The Tairua-Pauanui Community Board has given qualified support for fees to continue but says it reserves the right to change its mind if the scheme isn't continued on a district-wide basis.

Mercury Bay and Tairau-Pauanui were the only areas affected by the 2009 scheme. Ramp fees were already in existence in Whangamata and Te Kouma, near Coromandel town. A private ramp at Waikawau on the Thames Coast also charges fees.

The council is expected to ratify the boards' decisions next month. In areas which drop the fee scheme, ratepayers will again pick up the full cost of boat ramp maintenance and development.

- NZPA