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Lake Ohakuri Pontoons

  • Project completed

      16 September 2018
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    Thanks for all your support, the pontoon is now live for use.

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  • Pontoon is a go

      12 August 2018

    Sorry it has taken so long to provide an update, I didn't realise December was my last post, making this 8 months overdue!

    Since the last post, Taupo District Council (TDC) have transferred the resource consents with Waikato Regional Council (WRC) taking liability off me personally which was a big hurdle to overcome before we could move forward. Just last week, a license has been agreed between the land owner Mercury and TDC, meaning all the legal (hardest parts) are now complete, however the ink is still drying.

    Next steps which have in motion

    -Arrange sign

    -Confirm contractor to build

    -Advise Mercury & WRC of commencement date

    -Install pontoon and erect sign

    -Blessing/opening

    If all goes well, we will hopefully have this all in and ready for use before the next long weekend. I will keep you posted when i have a more clear idea on when the install will take place and be ready for use, but will certainly be there this summer!

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  • All go, though a shortfall

      1 December 2017
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    Hey Guys,

    We have collected $4,880 which is above the original goal, though is about $1000 short which I am currently paying out of pocket for import taxes and duties (still to be finalised). Unfortunately the givealittle page doesn't allow me to change the goal posts, but it does allow donations over and above the goal, so if you know someone that hasn't contributed and would be utilising this jetty, please point them to this page.

    I will be placing the order hopefully next week or the week following, the goods will take about a month to ship and then I've allowed for a week for it to go through customs clearance. The team at VERHOEVEN GROUP have been so kind to assist with the process and arranging shipping to Ati.

    The next things I need to arrange is storage of the 9 cubic meter of goods in Ati so we can arrange a day to do the install so will get in touch Lakeview farm to see if they wouldn't mind storing for us until the time comes.

    When it comes to install, the process is pretty simple, i'd need some help transporting from Ati to the boat ramp and I have a few names I'll call on that I know have trailers to help. The next part is getting some marine grade rope and anchors (I'm guessing some concrete blocks can be made up with a bit of steel looped within to tie rope to, if you have experience here please shout out).

    Lastly, I have a green light from TDC to cover the consent fees and WRC look to do the same though still waiting on final confirmation. Upper Atiamuri Sports Club have a committee meeting next week and I have made a submission requesting they own the pontoon and assist with the consent process; Avril has been so kind to request the same of "Atiamuri Community Recreation Club Inc" so we will see how that goes.

    As a last resort, the mayor of Taupo has been in touch and will get wheels in motion for the February council meeting to request TDC hold the consent process; they will only do so if we agree to pay all the costs for the install and ongoing maintenance of the jetty which I don't believe would be a problem based on the material this jetty is made of.

    If there is anything in this update you believe you could assist with, please reach out to me.

    Again thanks to all your support.

    Many thanks & have a great weekend.

    Barry

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  • Design complete and nearly ready to order

      26 November 2017
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    I hope you’ve all had a good weekend. I’ve had some good progress and funding has been coming through to the point we’re very close to pressing go with the order (thank you all for your assistance!)

    Attached is a design of the proposed replacement pontoon, which should allow a lot more room than the previous jetty.

    I’m still finalizing logistics for shipping and import taxes (to buy direct from China) and will need to figure out getting it all from the port of Tauranga down to site!!!! (Any one in logistics I could do with a hand)

    Lastly Waikato regional have given a half green light and are just seeking a few other approvals before waiving the resource consent fees. The actual last item would be the submission of the resource consent from a trust or association which I’m speaking to many parties about (cross fingers one of them can pull through).

    And to close, there is still a shortfall of funding so any one you think may be willing to help please point them to this page.

    Many thanks for everyone’s assistance

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  • Thanks for all your assistance thus far

      16 November 2017

    I'd like to thank all of you that have helped get us this far, we're pretty close to our target and it's happened a lot quicker than I thought!

    I have submitted an application to Waikato Regional Council and hope to hear back i the coming weeks on the result of the resource consent fees being waived. At the same time I had a call from David the Mayor of Taupo and he has promised to see what Taupo District Council can do to assist with funding or submission on the resource consent part of things.

    I had this response from Pontoon Plus, the makers of the floating pontoon "The pontoons do not require plies/poles to be sunk and can be anchored using anchors or weights and hence fit a boat classification more than a jetty as they are able to be moved. They are relatively new so the requirements around what level of consent is required, if any, are not particularly clear. I wouldn’t have thought you would have had an issue though, if you are replacing an existing jetty. I have installed one further down the Waikato River in conjunction with an existing jetty".

    I've also heard that the Ski Club on Atiamuri Lake didn't obtain consents for their pontoons for the same reason (being movable floating structures).

    Lastly, we're nearly at our target of $4,500 for the 5m x 1.5m pontoon system but not quite there yet; if you could share this page with anyone that may be interested in supporting this initiative. Any funds over and above the collected $4,500 will go towards extending the length of the pontoon as 5m is a little small.

    Thanks again for your support

    Barry Murphy

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