Port Macquarie Hastings Council has received further correspondence from members of the Port Macquarie and Tacking Point Surf Club, in relation to the use of a facility occupied by Marine Rescue at Westport Park.
Council's position on the unauthorised use of the facility by both surf clubs remains unchanged.
Earlier this year, Council entered into a new licensing agreement with Marine Rescue NSW for the occupation of the Council-owned facility at Westport Park (11A Buller St) Port Macquarie, which is located on a Crown Reserve.
In granting this new license Council took into consideration the needs of Marine Rescue, their current storage requirements, and the priority use of their property for emergency management purposes.
This agreement supersedes a 20-year-old leasing arrangement with the same volunteer organisation. Under the previous arrangement, Council understands that Port Macquarie and Tacking Point Surf clubs had stored surf craft on the reserve for many years, including many privately owned surf craft.
Use of the storage bays by the surf clubs was at the discretion of Marine Rescue NSW, whose organisation has grown and needs have evolved.
Marine Rescue NSW has borne the total cost of all maintenance, repair, insurance and fire safety for the whole property for the term of the previous lease, and that will be the arrangement moving forward.
With all of these factors in mind, Council has initiated the process to formally request surf clubs to remove their property from the premises in line with the conditions of the current licence arrangement.
