Kennedy Point Boatharbour Limited has obtained resource consent to build a new 186-berth floating marina at Kennedy Point in Putiki Bay at Waiheke Island.

An independent panel of five commissioners delegated by Auckland Council granted the project resource consent May after a week-long hearing in April.

“The hearing heard from people both in support and in opposition to the marina. But I believe the decision we made earlier this year to change the design from rock breakwaters to floating attenuators helped to reduce any concerns of environmental impact at the site,” says Kennedy Point Marina developer Tony Mair.

How the floating marina is expected to look.

In 35 years of marina development, Tony says he’s never seen a more appropriate site. The water is deep, avoiding the need for dredging, and the coastline is already modified. The design is also unique, with all structures, including the car park, marina office, community building, breakwaters and marina fingers floating.

The structures, to be manufactured by world-renowned company SF Marinas in Sweden, will all be towed into place, mitigating a lot of construction noise and onshore disturbance.

The marina will include about 186 berths, up to 19 pile moorings and 30 public day berths, two Swedish-designed floating breakwaters to protect the berths, floating pontoons piers and wharf.

There will be a marina office, storage for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, visitor facilities, café/public space, meeting room and a carpark with up to 72 spaces.

The Kennedy Point Marina will be located west of the existing SeaLink car ferry terminal at Kennedy Point and will be accessible from Donald Bruce Rd to the south of the breakwater.

“While Waiheke Island is well served for passenger and vehicle access, for those arriving on their own boats, there is no marina or other permanent overnight berthing facility at Waiheke,” says Kennedy Point Boatharbour Ltd counsel Derek Nolan QC.

The Kennedy Point Marina Supporters’ Group represents the more than 540 people who want a berth at the new marina.