20 August 2015 Chapter 10 - Urban Environments Provision for ports, by way of zoning them in the Plan, recognises the importance of their contribution to the infrastructure and economy of Marlborough. The Port Zone includes integrated provisions for both the land and water activities at ports. The creation of port zones limits the effects of port and harbour activities to specified and established areas of the coastal marine area, which are suited to this type of activity. It is important to ensure that land within the Port Zone is not occupied by activities which do not rely on location at a port or close to water transport. For this reason activities which rely on a location at a port will be provided for as permitted activities. Those which do not will be considered as non-complying activities. The land and water activities at ports give rise to a number of effects, some of these effects are potentially adverse (including noise, discharges to water and air, disturbance of the foreshore, impacts on vehicle and pedestrian circulation, and landscape impacts). Performance conditions and standards in the Plan are considered to be necessary to ensure that any adverse effects are appropriately managed. The port of Havelock is a significant ‘front door’ to the town. It is considered that new development or redevelopment of buildings and other structures at the port should integrate closely with the mixed commercial activity centred on the highway. This integration of vehicle and pedestrian connections, parking facilities, and townscape and built landscape terms should be functional. Landscape treatment of port areas is important to enhancing the overall landscape character of the towns. The Council proposes to require, as a condition of development proposals within the Port Zone, the contribution of either works or money towards overall landscape improvement of port areas as significant entrances to Marlborough. 10.7 Marina Activity The enclosed waterways of the Marlborough Sounds offer many recreational boating opportunities to both residents of Marlborough and visitors to the area. Commercial use of boats and other craft is also a significant feature of the district’s tourism, marine farming and fishing industries. Many of the smaller recreational craft are stored on dry land and have no need for mooring or berthage. However, there are many vessels that need some form of mooring or berthage and the preference is often for a marina berth. Marinas provide increased safety, security and a range of support facilities such as sewage and rubbish disposal, freshwater, fuel supplies and repair and maintenance services. They also make efficient use of water space in providing for longer term vessel storage. Currently, there are marinas at Picton, Waikawa, Portage and Havelock accommodating a variety of vessels supported by a range of boating industry activities. the marinas at Picton, Havelock and Waikawa are substantial complexes, with extensive land based back-up facilities. These marinas are important bases providing landing, storage, and loading facilities for residents of the Sounds as well as providing an important access point to the Sounds for many vessel owners who are not Sounds residents. The Portage marina is comparatively small with limited land based facilities. All of the marinas are important features contributing to the amenity and attraction of the Marlborough Sounds as well as generating significant economic activity. 10 - 31