Debate Argument in Support of Option 2: Asset-Owning Council Controlled Organisation (Council’s proposal)

Introduction

The proposal to transition the Nelson Marina into an Asset-Owning Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) has garnered significant support from the community, as evidenced by the feedback received. This model promises a balanced approach to managing the Marina's assets and liabilities, aiming to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining a focus on community benefits and sustainable development.

Community and Recreational Focus

Many residents have expressed a strong desire for the Marina to not only serve as a commercial entity but also as a community hub. Supporters of Option 2 have highlighted the potential for better public areas, including parks, walking and biking routes, and amenities such as bars, cafes, and restaurants. This aligns with the CCO's ability to reinvest commercial returns into Marina improvements, ensuring it remains a vibrant part of Nelson’s social and recreational landscape.

Economic and Operational Efficiency

The transition to a CCO is seen as a way to leverage specialized management and governance expertise, which can lead to more efficient decision-making processes. This model provides the Marina with greater financial flexibility, allowing it to pursue opportunities that can enhance its value and service offerings without the bureaucratic constraints often associated with direct council management.

Environmental and Safety Enhancements

Comments from the community also include calls for environmental stewardship and safety improvements, such as better water quality management and fire safety measures. The CCO model supports these initiatives by enabling focused investment in infrastructure and services that prioritize both user safety and environmental protection.

Democratic Involvement and Oversight

Despite the move to a CCO, the council retains full ownership and oversight, which addresses concerns about public accountability and asset privatization. Community members have advocated for continued democratic involvement, suggesting that the CCO model should include mechanisms for public input and transparency, ensuring that the Marina operates with community interests at heart.

Long-term Community Benefits

Supporters believe that the CCO can operate effectively as a social enterprise, where commercial gains are reinvested into the community. This approach not only supports the Marina’s immediate operational needs but also contributes to broader social outcomes, such as job creation, economic development, and enhanced marine facilities.

Conclusion

The support for Option 2 reflects a community that values both the economic potential and the social significance of the Nelson Marina. By adopting the Asset-Owning CCO model, Nelson City can ensure that the Marina is equipped to meet future challenges and opportunities while remaining a cherished community asset. This model promises a sustainable, efficient, and community-focused approach to Marina management, aligning with the long-term interests and values of Nelson’s residents.

Comments

Option_Selected	Comment
Option 2	Please create better public areas around the marina - parks, trees, walking / biking routes, scope for appropriate bar / cafe / restaurant at the end over looking the sea and boulder bank.Please keep the marina affordable for yachties, there is a lot of potential for positive livaboard communities there with better facilities.
Option 2	The marina is our biggest asset, we need to grow this area. We have world class maintenance facilities for contacts on merchant/foreign vessels. The boat ramp is already back logged, how can we manage this?
Option 2	Noting I do not understand the difference between option 2 and 3
Option 2	Don't know enough to be able to answer this fairly
Option 2	Public/private invetsment in the marina’os future, and in particular residential facilities in and around it is a positive way forward for seaside living, and certainly in reversing a centuries-old culture of Nelson City “”turning its back on the sea”
Option 2	Support CCO as it not then be profit driven. This is a highly valued facility by Nelson's community
Option 2	Our marina is awesome! It would be great to see it more accessible to the public, while not compromising security of the vessels in it.
Option 2	if the council retained ownership and passed management to a dedicated organization, the quality of marine areas could improve. Providing of course this is still democratic, and that management is good for marine environment and not for profits.
Option 2	support streamlining the marina operations and giving them the debt as they do make enough stable profit and are able to pay it off sooner than the council probably could. But, definitely think it needs to be a clear part of the proposal that it will forever remain in council ownership and is not up for selling
Option 2	The CCO must be bound into the so-called 'social enterprise' model mentioned in the documentation. The recreational use of the Haven, and Tasman Bay must be protected and the Marina organisation must seek to benefit the community first and foremost, rather than generate profits (as per option 3). I do have some serious concerns around the Marina Masterplan, in particular the location of the proposed Sea Sports Facility, and the expansion of the marina to the North. The Sea Sports Facility would be much better located at the end of Akersten St, where Plant & Food Research currently is. This would allow water access to be developed on the lee (downwind) side to the breakwater, which would provide for much safer water access for the multitude of different craft who will use the facility. The proposed location is exceptionally exposed to prevailing wind conditions, and has strong tidal currents. It will be totally unsafe in commonly occurring Nelson conditions.
Option 2	The Marina Masterplan is an important initiative that will unlock the significant potential of the Blue Economy in Nelson Tasman. As a regional development priority, it seeks Government partnership investment to drive growth in the marine industry and enhance our regional marine offerings. The Council's proposed model for the Marina has been identified as the best structure to enable this blue economy opportunity. The Marina Masterplan and Government partnership investment aligns with the goals of supporting regional development, creating sustainable jobs, and fostering innovation.
Option 2	The Marina needs to more that fish factories and a floating storage area for boats. It needs a fish market, cages and restaurants to make it part of the attractions of Nelson City
Option 2	Sensible and fair
Option 2	MARINA CCO PROPOSALAsset-owning council controlled
Option 2	We agree with Nelson City Council's proposal to move the marina to an asset owning CCO, with the council transferring both the assets and the liabilities to this new organization. We can see that this should strike a balance between more efficient decision-making processes, and providing assets and services for the public, with commercial returns reinvested in improvements to the marina.
Option 2	4Marina: Support Asset owning CCO
Option 2	When you look at the speed and efficiency that changes are being made in this operation - take note - this is a good model.
Option 2	I am a stakeholder yacht owner, and I will keep this short.Dredge, Dredge, Dredge! In the event of a fire at low tide my boat and many others CAN NOT leave our berth because it is to shallow. I am not in favour of selling any council land for private development.  Don't kill the golden goose.Allow users access to the COO board to provide input. Please notify us of these meetings. I am in favor of wardale option 2 version 8 having docks R-Y. We need the berths! Great Idea having more pump outs for better water quality. Getting more Maitai fresh water to flush the marina from the P dock end would be good. Again Fire Safety and general marina health. All boats should be operational and required to leave their berth twice a year. Sooooo many boats I see never move and are dying a slow death. These boats are taking up space that people who use their boats would like. Good start so far with the boat graveyard in the hardstand.Thank you Saxby Thorndyke
Option 2	Council should still look to receive return on investment or some profit to support other council initiatives and reinvestment.
Option 2	upgrade the marina please, keen to invest in the water front and utilize the potential trial we have in nelson. Windsurf or recreation facilities too please
Option 2	Within this model please ensure there is a voice for user groups within the CCO so that the use of the area by community groups is supported in tandem with the provision of services to berth holders.
Option 2	dont' know enough. go with your recommendation
Option 2	It would seem to make sense that the managing organisation owns the assets in question,  I would only hope that any such change would not give free reign to the CCO to significantly increase costs to Marina users.
Option 2	Nelson is one of the most fortunate cities in New Zealand to have such a wonderful asset on our doorstep. It is underutilised and the Nelson Marina has so much under utilized potential that could benefit so many industries and bring more businesses and tourism to the area.
Option 2	The current management of the marina doesn't work well, so we need change.  I don't know enough about this issue so accept Council's proposal.  But, more work needs to develop a plan for the marina that works for our community and copes with sea level rise.  I am really concerned that the new sea sports building and infrastructure is too fancy and expensive.  It is likely to be unaffordable for clubs to use it, and hence will move our club away from the marina rather than encourage all water sports, and showcase them to all locals and visitors.  Those with money will have a great facility but the rest of us will be pushed out.
Option 2	Marina CCO proposalTBCA supports Option 2 – creation of an Asset-Owning Council Controlled Organisation to oversee and manage the Marina, its assets and its liabilities. Nelson’s unique geographical advantages give it a strong connection to the moana. This nurtured iwi and early European arrivals and has allowed our people to build relationships with the sea that support both social and economic well-being and prosperity. TBCA would like to remind Council that our harbour users come from a wide cross-section of the community, from recent refugee arrivals through to recreational fishers, youth sport participants, kayakers, swimmers, community not-for-profits and cruising sailors. Marina facilities must not be priced beyond the reach of this community. The marina is a gateway to the wider moana and its development should be seen in an holistic sense, as underpinning the hopes, dreams and visions of those whose lives are enriched by their association with the sea.
Option 2	Option 2 with reservations. There would be considerably less democratic 'contact' and accountability, unless safeguards are put in place. Using the profits to feed back into the Marina is good - but profits are not everything. Increased fees for marina berth holders must be something that berth holders can 'see', 'understand' and have feedback on. If there are some projects that require a big financial input, it would be approriate for the Council to add funds, including from general ratepayers. Some of the Marina Master Plan proposals were about Marina changes that were to benefit the whole population of Nelson and visitors, not just Marina users. Surely this should be part of Council funding. I certainly agree with continuing with the Asset-Owning Council-Controlled Trading Organisation, I am not sure about transferring all liabilities.There were many good suggestions in the Master Plan. But all the proposals will need more discussion, detailing and planning. Can the small Controlled Organsation manage all this? It could be difficult.
Option 2	Yes, there is good investment to be made, and is needed for a change in use (living on boats) repair etc. for extra work.
Option 2	Nelson Yacht Club supports Option 2 - to create an Asset-Owning Council Controlled Organisation. There is mention of the ability for the CCO to operate as a Social Enterprise. This is an important factor for our community, who are all stakeholders in the marine environment, navigation safety, and recreational use of our marine areas. The remit of the Marina CCO to create value for our community, not just commercial returns is important. In relation to the “City to the Sea” connection. We feel strongly that the Marina Masterplan redevelopment should not come at the expense of investing in our waterfront, and the Wakefield Quay area that includes the Nelson Yacht Club. There is great potential for the “Haven Precinct”, with a commercial core around The Styx, Custom House, and Anchor Shipping & Foundry buildings, and a recreational zone from there to the yacht club. We would welcome Council engagement on proposals for this area as part of the Long Term Plan process.
Option 2	The Blue Economy is a significant (economic) competitive advantage and opportunity for Nelson Tasman[1].  The Marina Masterplan is an identified regional development priority seeking Government partnership investment, as a platform for growth in the marine industry and to enhance our regional marine offerings (Nelson Tasman Briefing for Ministers 2024).  NRDA will advocate strongly for Government partnership investment in the Marina Masterplan and supports Council’s proposed model for the Marina based on this being identified as the best structure to enable this blue economy opportunity.  [1] Nelson Tasman Regional Economic Briefing.  People and Places.  NRDA commissioned.