Trust Welcomes Reef Decision

Lyall Bay Reef Trust Chairman, Tony Lines, was elated at Friday's decision of the independent commissioners hearing the Trust's application to grant a resource consent for the construction of a reef at Lyall Bay, subject to conditions.

"This will be a huge boost to the hundreds of supporters who have given their time and money to helping bring the construction of a reef at Lyall Bay one step closer, said Tony Lines.

"I particularly want to thank Lloyd Morrison and the board of Wellington Airport and Wellington City Council for providing the bulk of the funding that enabled us to get this far.

"We were confident that everything stacked up for the reef and had addressed all the reasonable concerns that were raised during the consent process."

The independent hearings commissioners, granted consent for the reef with conditions, which include minimising environmental effects, monitoring of the beach system and the development of a safety plan with interested parties.

The coastal permits were granted for 35 years.

"We are more than confident we will be able to satisfy these conditions and start planning in earnest to prepare a business case to support an application to a leading corporate for sponsorship funding to construct the reef," said Tony Lines.

"We have always maintained that this reef is for the benefit of all water sports enthusiasts and will also provide fishing and diving benefits. Wellington will also become a member of select group of countries with a quality surf break within 15 minutes of its CBD."

A feasibility study done by reef designers ASR Ltd, found that the reef would increase the number of surfing days currently available from around 27 days a year to over one hundred.

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