Regular meetings are being held with regard to the YBPA and if any member would like copies of the minutes of these meeting they are available from the office. Denny Moffatt, who is Chairman of this Association, may be contacted on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any queries.

YBPA CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2009/2010  

YBPA, as we are now known, was created just under a year ago and this is our first AGM in terms of the constitution. 

Fortunately we have been able to build on the work done in the past by YBRA and, based on this and with a spirit of co-operation, our new organization was created. It has some clear objectives and those of us involved represent all of the stakeholders who will be affected by the redevelopment of the yacht mole precinct. 

Our task is a broad one. We are expected to participate in the yacht basin redevelopment process representing our own organizations but at the same time remain objective and co operative with one another.  In other words, we have had to work on a consensus basis. This might have brought challenges especially as we have some organizations considerably larger than others and while our constitution does cater for such a situation, we have never failed to reach agreement and I thank you for this.  

The high level of experience that exists amongst the members of YBPA has resulted in YBPA establishing reasonable expectations and a desire to make progress. 

Our main responsibilities have been to inform our organizations of progress, to suggest and create a workable use of the space available and to make our views clear to the city. This has been no simple task and, in an attempt to ensure the success of YBPA, we looked at its structure and established a fully representative Executive that met on a regular basis. All members have been welcome to attend these meetings. In addition, EXCO created a smaller Technical Committee that reported back to EXCO and to our full committee. This structure is not cast in stone.  It has certainly worked this year as is evident from the progress that we have made. 

YBPA called on the expertise of Mr. Willie Vandevere who gave us excellent advice. With the assistance of Keith Stewart, we consolidated his ideas and all other information on members' needs and the reclamation process and then asked Mr. Bill Ellens, an architect passionate about our task, if he would assist. He has been very co-operative and produced a concept spatial layout of the area. No easy task I am afraid, as the reclaimed area is smaller than expected. This draft has been commented on by YBPA and submitted to all stakeholders for information and comment. 

I am extremely grateful to these two competent professionals for their input and their enthusiasm. 

In addressing these issues, we as an organization have become acutely aware of the limitations of the new area as well as the importance of our task. Our focus has been on many of the activities that depend on an acceptable and fair utilization of the area available. In striving to make proposals that will result in a world class facility we have had to understand the importance of commercial activities such as restaurants, the boat building and repair industry, access for the public as well as all the clubs involved. The clubs have made their position quite clear, and that is that they will not accept facilities inferior to those they currently enjoy. 

The other extremely important stakeholder in the yacht basin redevelopment is the Marina. We need a well managed and affordable facility for the hundreds of boats moored there. Although the Marina has its own management structure, it is clear that we cannot undertake our task and ignore the fact that the Marina is an important part of the area, an essential and integral element of yachting and that it is, to an extent, our responsibility. Indeed the City specifically instructed YBPA to integrate issues around the Marina into our overview and responsibilities. I would recommend that YBPA now meets directly with all directors of the Marina. 

An essential part of our task is to keep the City informed and to make suggestions to them that they can integrate into the final planning of the area. We have met the City Planning Department on a number of occasions and have kept them informed of our progress. Their official, Mr. Mike Andrews, has received all of our minutes as well as our constitution and has recently addressed YBPA's EXCO, an important meeting well captured in the appropriate minutes. He was somewhat surprised at the progress we had made and was appreciative of our efforts. He indicated that we could expect his comments on the conceptual plan submitted, and we are waiting for this. I suspect that we will hear little until after the SWC. 

YBPA is an independent body, but fully understands the requirements of the clubs and organizations that we represent. Our task is a long way from complete. It needs to be remembered that ultimately the issue of the length of leases and financial compensation from the City who will take over our existing premises, will become the most important part of our negotiations with the City.  

Current indications are that the City recognizes that it has a responsibility in this regard. My understanding is that the income that will accrue to the City by their leasing the premises currently occupied by some of the clubs will form the basis for their financial contribution towards the rebuilding of the “super” club. I doubt that this will provide sufficient funding. We will have to deal with this matter firmly and keep all affected parties informed.  

It is noted that the City has still not resolved issues regarding its own lease of the area from the National Ports Authority and it appears that some of the outstanding issues are related to the question of zoning and commercial use.  

The situation regarding the clubs' use of their current premises is still uncertain and is most frustrating for management and members. YBPA is aware of this and will address the matter as soon as communications reopen with the city, with whom this problem has been raised.  The length of lease is a factor which will severely affect the clubs' ability to borrow money and their members' confidence to invest in their future. 

Clubs are reminded that they need to meet the City’s Recreational Policy requirements as well as have a clear business and financial plan if they hope to get full support and maximum benefit from the City.  

The reclamation of the yacht mole is essentially complete and all parties should be well prepared for progress.  There are challenges with space and the ability to grow being significant issues. 14 100sqm has been reclaimed yet RNYC, PYC and DRC currently occupy 8 190, 12 575, and 3,375 or 24 140 sqm, almost twice that area. Timing and finance are also problems. 

I believe that YBPA certainly has an important role to play.  If we can continue to work in a spirit of co-operation and achieve consensus, we hope to ensure that the needs of all members are addressed and that the development of a world class facility becomes a reality that is beneficial to all members of YBPA as well as to the City. 

In closing I would like to thank Chris Frost, Commodore of the RNYC who is Vice Chairman, all the members for their input and positive participation, Michael Jackson for his professional assistance with the Constitution, and in particular Debbie Cox and her team who have been absolutely fantastic with our administration. 

Denny Moffatt

Chairman

May 2010