Councils getting hooks into sea pursuits

By ANNE BESTON

Regional councils are looking to create a new breed of ratepayer - people who do business or have amenities on the coast or in the sea.

Marinas, private jetties, wharves, boat ramps, moorings and marine farms are all possible targets of proposed "coastal occupation charges" that could add millions of dollars to regional council coffers.

The Auckland Regional Council has the issue firmly on its agenda but Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Northland are also considering it.

Brian Smith, chairman of the ARC's environment committee, estimates $2 million a year could be raised.

"The people affected will probably kick up and perform and say it's a terrible thing and it will add to the cost of occupying the coast, but it's accepted that if you have exclusive use on land, you have to pay.

"That doesn't change just because it's got salt or fresh water over it."

Since 1997, regional councils have had the option of imposing coastal and marine occupancy charges but they must change their coastal plans - the set of rules by which they manage coastal areas under the Resource Management Act.

The coastal area is defined under the act as being from the high-tide mark out to the 12-mile limit.

The ARC has told staff to draw up a draft plan and will then call for public submissions.

Other regional councils are following suit. A Northland Regional Council discussion paper points out that dedicated jetski and waterski lanes meet the act's definition of "occupancy".

Under the old system, coastal users such as jetty and marina owners paid a rental to the Crown under the Harbours Act, but those licences have expiry dates ranging from a few years to 99 years.

Once they run out, holders could be targeted by their regional council.

ARC staff are even investigating if Auckland's port company will come under the new system when its coastal permit expires in 2026.

The ports company is having none of it.

"Ports of Auckland does not expect to be affected by the ARC occupancy charges," said spokeswoman Karen Bradshaw.

The occupancy charges could take between three and five years to come into force. Councils must call for public submissions, hold public hearings and most expect the debate to end up in the Environment Court.

New Zealand Marina Operators' Association chairman Russell Mathieson, who also manages West Park Marina on Auckland's North Shore, said the councils were buying a fight.

"Suddenly the powers-that-be have seen the dollar signs," he said.

"There's already been one crack at this but it was such a political hot potato they threw it out the window.

"But it's back again and we will want our voice well and truly heard."

Each of the country's 30 or so marinas had its own licence to operate, said Mr Mathieson.

Many come under the old system but others operate under consents from regional councils and those are likely to be first in line for the new charges.

Marine farmers are also a target group.

Mussel Industry Council chief executive Paul Lupi said he did not have a problem with the issue in principle, although he had not canvassed his members.

ARC councillor Mike Lee said he was not necessarily opposed to the idea but wanted the money spent as the resource act directed - the money raised must be invested in the coastal marine area.

Further reading
nzherald.co.nz/marine