giving nanaimo harbour back to nanaimo presentation began in late 2012 after npa changed lease rate...
TRANSCRIPT
Giving Nanaimo Harbour Back to Nanaimo Presentation to City Council 27 March 2017 Nanaimo Marina Association In Collaboration with:
Solving Nanaimo Harbour Crisis
• Introduction of the Nanaimo Marina Association • Background and Update on Nanaimo Port Authority • Replacing the NPA with a Made in Nanaimo Solution:
• Greater Nanaimo Waterfront Association
• Update on Discussions with Transport Canada • Next Steps • Discussion, Questions and Answers
Nanaimo Marina Association • Newcastle Marina: 140 berths • Anchorage Marina (Asia Pacific Yacht Group): 128 berths • Blue Nose Marina (Harbour City Entertainment): 35 berths • Palms Marinaside Resort: 100 berths • Harbour Homes Marina: 20 berths • Waterfront Suites and Marina: 80 berths • Townsite Marina: 135 berths • Channel View Marina: 70 berths • Nanaimo Yacht Club: 370 berths, 750 members • Representing the interests of more than 1,500 boaters
Strategic Alliances from Departure Bay to Duke Point • Nanaimo Marina Association is working with:
• Snuneymuxw First Nation • Nanaimo River Estuary Log Storage Association • Nanaimo Hospitality Association • Boating BC • Chamber of Shipping • Sea Plane Operators • Shipping Operators • Port Terminal Operators
Nanaimo Marina Association
• Association was formed to address the unfair rate approach by the Nanaimo Port Authority
• NPA created an environment that is unfair to: • Business Owners • Boaters • Users and Citizens • Investment
• NPA has suppressed investment and development of Nanaimo Harbour
Dispute with Nanaimo Port Authority
• Began in late 2012 after NPA changed Lease Rate Formula • Lease rates were traditionally set by Public Works assessments • In 2012 Nanaimo Port Authority used a Private Appraisal Model which
used upland property value to determine water lot values • Rates saw immediate, triple percentage increases in lease fees • In some cases, marina operators have seen lease rates go up by over
450% • NPA lease rates accounts for more than 80% of a marina’s gross
revenue
NPA Acknowledges Crisis, Takes No Action • Marina industry met with NPA in November 2016 • NPA officials stated the rates crisis was created by Minister Marc
Garneau of Transport Canada (TC) • NPA said they had to follow “rules” outlined by the Minister • NPA promised to help solve the rate crisis at a meeting with TC in late
November 2016 • Nanaimo City Council offered a letter of support in order to help bring
rates in line with the Province of BC • NPA meeting with TC never ocurred
NPA Creates Their Own Rules
• According to Canada Marine Act, Letters Patent, and communication directly from Minister Marc Garneau; NPA sets its own “rules”
• The NPA could have prevented this crisis by following the Provincial model
• The NPA could have resolved this crisis long ago by listening to the user groups and listening to the community
• The NPA privately says that there is no problem • The NPA has not been honest with us, nor acted in good faith
Industry United, Community United
• Businesses operating along Nanaimo Harbour have been emboldened by the real peril that our businesses face
• From Departure Bay to Duke Point, from North to South, our community is united in dispatching the NPA model
• We have no confidence and no faith that the NPA will work in the best interest of the local public good
• NPA has been given numerous opportunities to do what is right for the community; they have failed over and over again.
Inspiring Solution
• Other harbours have taken a different approach, and have far more successful harbour communities than Nanaimo
• Victoria, BC is of particular inspiration as the Society model ensures that governance of the harbour reflects and is responsive to the local public and economy
• Creating the Greater Nanaimo Waterfront Association, is the first step in reclaiming the harbour for the people of Nanaimo
• The Society model forms the basis of our “best-in-class”, Nanaimo-based solution
Greater Nanaimo Waterfront Association (GNWA)
• A not-for-profit, community based solution • Entity becomes official steward of Nanaimo federal crown water lots • Focused on economic development along Nanaimo Harbour for all
industries • Financial benefit is mandated to stay in Nanaimo with revenues
generated, to be reinvested in Nanaimo Harbour • Annual revenues to be raised for re-investment in Nanaimo - expected
to be in the millions • GNWA follows the successful creation and operation of the Greater
Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) which was established as a not-for-profit under similar conditions, 15 years ago
Community Partnerships
• The City of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Regional District of Nanaimo, industry and businesses along Nanaimo Harbour are essential participants in this model
• We expect to work with all parties and stakeholders to finalise this proposal and model; in order to advance it with Transport Canada
• As a community, we are strongest and most united, when we work together for the betterment of the community
Transport Canada Waiting for Nanaimo
• The Nanaimo Marina Association has had discussions and meetings with senior federal government officials since summer 2016
• Discussions have been comprehensive and focused on the problems stemming from Port Authorities across Canada, and the available solutions
• Senior government officials directed Nanaimo Marina Association to formulate a “Made in Nanaimo” solution
• Solution should be community-based with an improved model • Bonus consideration if model can be applied nation-wide
Benefits to Nanaimo • Nanaimo Harbour becomes a self-sustaining community asset • Community has a say on waterfront enhancements and growth • Waterfront amenities, public access and amenities would be mainly
paid for by revenues accumulated from foreshore leases and industry • GNWA, through consultation with community and Board of Directors
can fund and finance other plans for recreational, commercial and industrial districts of Nanaimo Harbour
• A fair economic playing field is created where all industries and businesses have an equitable relationship and fee structure with GNWA
• Creates more economic development by promoting sustainable growth
Benefits to Nanaimo Marine Industry
• GNWA offers stability and certainty for commercial/industrial clients • Industry can forward plan, and invest in their business and facilities,
knowing that the lease/revenue sharing model is fair and equitable • No surprises • Industry will be able to grow their operations and employ more
people • Boating and waterfront activities will return to growth
Next Steps
• Council support efforts to work with Snuneymuxw First Nation, the City of Nanaimo, the Regional District of Nanaimo, the Marine industry and the Community-At-Large to form a not-for-profit Society tasked with becoming the official steward of Nanaimo’s water lot properties