Russian billionaire to build walkway on Northland coast

Independent Commissioner Mark Farnworth at the hearing at the Northland Regional Council. Photo / Northern Advocate

A Russian billionaire has been given permission to build a 233m walkway along an untouched Northland coastline to get better access to his fishing boat.

Independent commissioner Mark Farnsworth today approved an application for a walkway and 14 metre long pontoon on the northern end of Helena Bay.

He also allowed the applicant to dredge up to 200 square metres of seabed on the northern side of the bay until 2015.

The new developments will allow a "property owner" improved access from a house to a 17m recreational fishing boat in the previously undeveloped bay.

It is believed the application pertained to a Helena Bay property owned by Russian-owned Abramov Family Trust, which is linked to Alexander Abramov, a Russian steel billionaire.

The application was opposed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), who said it broke various local and national resource consent policies.

It also claimed the proposal was "unnecessary" and that the applicant had not fully investigated the possibility of accessing the boat from the beach.

DOC spokesman Andrew Riddell said the department is still assessing the decision.

But he said it had concerns over the fact the development was the only one in an area recognised as having "high natural character".

"This is the first coastal structure along a length of coast that is without structures."

The department will now decide whether to accept the decision or to appeal it to the Environment Court, he said.

Opposition to the application from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust was withdrawn after its concerns over planning and environmental effects were addressed.

Mr Farnsworth said consent conditions imposed in his decision will make sure the effects of the development will be minor.

Granting the consent would not set a national precedent and any future similar proposals would have to be approved on their merits, he said.

Northland Regional Council endorsed the application.

The application lodged by Helena Bay Holdings Ltd said the 233m path would hug a cliff base, be big enough to accommodate a quad bike and be coloured and textured to match the rocks.

It would allow access to a gamefishing launch at the pontoon during the owner's twice-yearly visits to the property.

The application was publicly notified in August this year.

Hearings were held in Whangarei late last month.

Mr Farnsworth's decision is now open to appeal by the applicant or submitters for 15 working days.