A Broad Bay couple are calling for the Otago Regional Council to improve its resource consent processes for granting moorings
Christine and Guy Garey spoke at the council's public forum last week, saying their comments arose from their experience gaining a consent for a mooring in an undesignated mooring area at Grassy Point, Broad Bay.
They said the council's interpretation of the Resource Management Act process was, in their case, "overkill".
"This simple matter was made unreasonably complex by the ORC's handling of it and caused us much unnecessary stress and expense," Mrs Garey said.
There was an "urgent need" for a fully qualified and independent harbour master and for the staff member involved in processing mooring applications to have some understanding of boats and maritime matters.
"We believe it is essential to the process and would assist in shortening the processing time."
Other concerns included staff being clearer about the costs of various consents, the unnecessary need for consultants in simple cases and the need for the council to be more in tune with its communities.
She hoped her opinions would stimulate discussion among councillors and staff, resulting in an improvement.
Regional council chief executive Graeme Martin said there were "differences of opinion" and the matter was being considered.
