Fee likely to use Sandy Bay

The Pukemanu Boating and Fishing Club is pleased the South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) has agreed to lease Sandy Bay, despite users probably having to pay an access charge.

At a meeting last week, the SWDC agreed to enter into a lease of Sandy Bay with the Hiwi Trust to retain public use.

Sandy Bay is a boat launching area near Te Awaiti, east of Martinborough, and is deemed the only safe launching area on that stretch of the coast.

Club Commodore Butch Carrington said the club had put in a submission and had hoped the council would agree to negotiate with the trust to gain long-term access for boats and vehicles at the bay.

"They [Hiwi Trust] were looking at selling access and they had written to us warning that things were going to change depending on how well negotiations go with the council," Mr Carrington said.

If access to the bay had been sold, the new owner might have made it private.

"You'd be relying on the goodwill of the purchaser, whether he locked it up," Mr Carrington said.

It is probable users will have to pay a boat ramp fee or an access fee to the council.

"I think we've got to really. We can't expect the council to stand alone and do things out of the goodness of their hearts," Mr Carrington said.

The trust had previously offered the club a lease but it was too expensive for it to take on.

The club has had a issues with access to bay in the past.

"A couple of times the gates have been locked.

"A good five or six years ago when the campers were there and making a bloody mess and Hiwi Trust locked the gates at that stage and stopped all access."

The Hiwi Trust has suggested an annual leasing fee of $8750 plus GST.

That was higher than Mr Carrington had expected.

"The figure that was quoted to the council is only a half share.

"We've got to share that accessway with a commercial fisherman as well.

"We would be a little disappointed if the commercial fisherman wasn't getting charged as much as the council," he said.

Despite the cost, Mr Carrington said the council leasing the bay was a "win-win all round".