The Mercury Bay Boating Club in Whitianga is seeking support for its relocation efforts. The club’s old facility was severely damaged by ex-cyclone Hale, which caused significant erosion along the foreshore. The club has identified Dundas St as a suitable new location due to its proximity to the water, the town’s marina, and district plan zoning.
Club commodore Simon Rawlinson has informed the public about the club’s plans to relocate during a recent community board meeting. The club is seeking the board’s support for the move. Rawlinson regrets that the club couldn’t approach the board earlier due to the unexpected speed of the Department of Conservation’s (DoC) actions.
The club first applied to the DoC for relocation in December 2023, expecting a response within six to nine months. However, they received a letter in March indicating that their application would be made public in April.
Despite the challenges, the club remains committed to serving its community. It has been conducting a thorough investigation of potential sites. The current location has become a heritage-listed site with ongoing erosion threats, making it uninsurable. The Dundas St site, zoned for marine services, is their preferred choice.
The community board has agreed to consider the club’s submission and will make a decision after seeking community views. The club’s application to the DoC states that the Dundas St site is reclaimed land, which didn’t exist when the clubhouse was built in the late 1990s. If it had, the club would have sought to establish the clubhouse there.
The club proposes a lease of an area of 2374m², which it claims will not significantly impact the environment or restrict public access to the reserve or boat ramp. The club, with strong community support and a successful junior sailing program, remains determined to overcome its current challenges.
Public submissions on the club’s relocation application can be made until May 9. Submission forms are available online.
