As noted earlier today by Paula, a large marina for luxury mega-yachts has been proposed for Victoria's harbour. According to an article in Monday magazine, it will moor up to 50 yachts anywhere in length from 65 to 135 feet, and will cover an area of 6.4 acres.(You can view plans for the marina at their website here.)The South Island Sea Kayaking Association has already spoken out against the project with this letter to Transport Canada, and the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club will be sending a delegation to Tuesday's Public Meeting. Brian Henry of Ocean River Sports has also sent a letter opposing the mega-yacht marina.
To me, this proposal seems wrong-headed for a number of reasons. First, as a kayaker an increase in marine traffic makes it harder for kayakers and other paddlers to enjoy the harbour. It takes a large chunk of what is now public waterfront and makes it private.
As a business plan, it doesn't make any sense to me. We are past peak oil. Surely the price of oil is only going to go up as worldwide demand increases and supply falls, and any tourism-based enterprise that depends on the use of gasoline as its only source of getting tourists to come (and therefore to earn revenue) is going to struggle in the future.
And thirdly, mega-yachts have large carbon footprints. We can't continue to embrace projects that will speed up the process of climate change.
This is a bad idea. See you at the public hearing on Tuesday.
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