19 Apr 09
Concerned about future water safety at Whangamata, Surfbreak spoke to their submission at the recent Waikato Regional Council Safety and Navigational Bylaws hearings, held in Hamilton on 31st March 2009.
The WRC review committee took the Surfbreak
submission as read. Surfbreak produced two additional
documents. 1. a map of the Whangamata Bar (how it is physically
shaped and used by surfers as an amenity) and 2. a legal/ planning
definition of a surfbreak.
Besides the issue of surfers having to share channel space with
large vessels, Surfbreak questioned the Council's position on
liability from accidents in the channel as it appears the Council
has favoured the interests of a minority development group (Marina
society) over the safety and environmental concerns of the majority
and historically long time users.
The Council has to date not considered the issue of liability
should any accidents occur in the absence of any specific safety
and navigation rules. No research was undertaken prior to the
granting of resource consents for the marina. Surfbreak considers
this to be a major flaw in the process undertaken.
The Chair of the WRC review committee, Paula Southgate, agreed
with the Surfbreak submission that Councillor Simon Friar had a
material conflict of interest, in that he is a part owner of the
Whangamata foreshore and seabed via his material interest in the
Whangamata marina. The chair thus confirmed that Councillor Friar
is not able to take part in any discussions or decisions regarding
Whangamata.