Stop the Boat Ramp
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In 1999, what is now the Waterfront Park was New Zealand's most contaminated site. Through the amazing efforts of the people of Mapua, the land was rescued and returned to the Community as a park. In 2018 Tasman District Council signed off plans for a park. However, in 2019 the Park was earmarked for a 50m long 2 lane boat ramp.
We want that application withdrawn, and for TDC to deliver the 2018 vision.
Update
The Facts
In February 2024 the Mapua Community Boat Ramp Trust applied for a resource consent to build a 2 lane ramp at Mapua Waterfront Park.
In April the Trust paused its consent application for 4 months. Council told the Trust that it needed to respond to all the issues raised by the 111 objections.
In May Trevor Marshall of the Trust asked for $250,000 to "fight" these objections. The Council decided in June not to fund the Trust any further because of the risks - process, environmental, financial and community.. Read the summary here.
A Short History of the ramp
Rampers will tell you they were 'promised' a boat ramp to replace the ramp by the wharf, but no one at TDC knows anything about it.
However, what we do know is that there was an extensive community consultation process in 2017-18 which led to TDC's clear commitment to develop Waterfront Park. This was to include seating, public BBQs, shade sail, a small playground and outdoor exercise equipment. This was clearly stated in the 2018 Master Plan for Mapua (along with a clear statement declining to build a ramp at the waterfront).
This was subverted by rampers who somehow managed to get Council to go against that in 2019, effectively starting the process of developing a ramp and blocking any other use.
Eventually, the Environment Commission or the Court will do what TDC should have done and tell the rampers that they can't have their ramp at the waterfront. Or perhaps TDC will tell the rampers that they're dreaming. Or maybe the Trust itself will realise it's reached the end of the road and it's time to do the right thing for the community and step aside.
We'll be ready. We're getting to work on what was promised in 2018. In doing so we take up the mantle of kaitiaki that was created by the Mapua community in its epic struggle to rescue and recover this lovely little park for the whole community.