Do you think that the baches on reserve land at Ligar Bay should be removed as soon as their licences expire in 2014?

32 Comments

  1. Tama Terakau says "I think the people who are living permanently in a house on the reserve should be offered a lifetime deal to stay but the baches that aren't permanent residences should be removed in 2014."

    July 1st, 2009 at 04:41 PM

  2. River Howe says "I mourn the disappearance of the old style NZ bach and think the Ligar Bay baches are wonderful examples of the genre. I'd vote for them remaining for the lifetime of the present owners. There is plenty of unoccupied reserve land there already."

    July 3rd, 2009 at 07:28 PM

  3. quilter says "We would all like a bach right on the beach front. but theses baches are outdated eyesores on reserve land that could be used as a picnic area by locals and holidaymakers alike until needed as roading. "

    July 3rd, 2009 at 08:25 PM

  4. Sol Morgan says "I agree with Rivers sentiments, ley them stay till the owners have passed away."

    July 4th, 2009 at 12:50 AM

  5. dean says "The first time I went to Ligar Bay I thought the old baches added character to the area and the new subdivision looked, and still looks, uninspired and dull"

    July 4th, 2009 at 12:56 PM

  6. anon says "I agree with "quilter". The one long term resident has had 25 years to get a permanent beach section of his own. They are all bludgers if they think they can stay."

    July 4th, 2009 at 01:11 PM

  7. pohara resident says "Holiday baches? Lived in by people who are renting off lease holders? Lived in long-term by people who own other residential property in Golden Bay? Then baches should be removed by 2014. Lived in long-term by people who own no other property in Golden Bay? TDC and leaseholders should come to a final agreement and not repeat this renegotiation process every few years."

    July 5th, 2009 at 01:53 PM

  8. Val says "The Baches add to the essence that is Ligar Bay.Many folk from the world over stop and comment on there quaintness. They need to stay if not permently at least for the lifetime of the owners."

    July 5th, 2009 at 04:38 PM

  9. Andrea says "baches have historical and cultural value. the tenants pay equtiable rates plus a 20 % margin as home owners across the road.The baches are shared with families and friends and have been enjoyed by many folks over the last 70 years. the baches, wharf and inlet lend a beautiful charm to the bay.It would be a shame for ligar bay to end up looking just like Kaiteriteri so that properties across the road would be worth beach front value. The land they occupy is ROAD RESERVE NOT PUBLIC RESERVE. "

    July 5th, 2009 at 06:48 PM

  10. Galen says "Once the lease expires, could they become public property and, instead of being demolished, managed as rustic holiday accommodation for anyone to use much like Baird's Cottage in Totaranui and the DOC huts up the Cobb?"

    July 5th, 2009 at 06:50 PM

  11. Graham says " As abach owner 32 years ago for 15 years I was partly responsible for the 25 year lease when the time came to sell.The original lease was for 24 hours.Research back then indicated that the land may have been privately owned with a verbal argument of a boundary change,with no written evidance found to prove the case I elected to move on and build ourselves an asset.And we are still in Ligar bay"

    July 5th, 2009 at 09:04 PM

  12. richard says "The Council is determined to create a bland, conformist social environment. The baches should stay with the right to be sold on to whoever can afford to make the purchase as is the case anywhere else in Tasman District. To say that an irrevocable decision has been made to terminate the leases is to deny that any decision can be re-visited to reflect any change in attitudes or circumstances. Let them stay and let's have a little more depth in our culture."

    July 5th, 2009 at 09:11 PM

  13. liza says "I love the baches. Some of the more permanent baches are beautifully kept and add to Golden Bay's quirkiness. Surely it's not all about sea views for the new residents of the Bay. Also, if people want access to Ligar Bay Beach, the baches don't stop this occurring. Some of the folk who live in them have given much to looking after the beach and also being active in the local community. Surely this is what Golden Bay is about? Not money OR ownership, but rather community and diversity. It should not become another Kaiteriteri."

    July 5th, 2009 at 10:17 PM

  14. Kate says "The public has and always will have access to the beauty of Ligar Bay, regardless of whether there are a couple of houses on the beach front. These batches are a part of Golden Bay, as are their well-loved occupants - those permanent or otherwise. Please don´t destroy these symbolic baches of Golden Bay."

    July 6th, 2009 at 09:22 AM

  15. Karaitiana says "I think the batches should stay- I have amazing memories of my time in one of them, and I'm trying to get organised to bring my own children up from down south to have their own experience of Ligar Bay- when there I do not want to stay in the suburbs!! A bach on the beach please- not a eyesore on the hill!!"

    July 6th, 2009 at 01:33 PM

  16. Celia says " What is the point of destroying these historic baches simply because they are on road reserve when there is enough beachfront picnic space there already? This is bureaucratic vandalism. Preserve the few historic buildings of Golden Bay, a precious holiday destination for Kiwi's for generations. A big loss for not enough gain."

    July 6th, 2009 at 02:26 PM

  17. Richard says "The Ligar Bay baches have been part of my familie's summer for 18 yrs,they are what genuine kiwi holidays are all about. Ligar Bay is very fortunate to have such iconic buildings amongest the now changing architectural landscape. I say leave well alone-who are they harming anyway.I'm sure the council could find something more important to focus on. "

    July 6th, 2009 at 10:44 PM

  18. Bmac says "Richardsays that his family have enjoyed 18yrs of holidays on the Ligar Bay beachfront, I have lived in Golden Bay for 58yrs and have been prevented from enjoying the same privilige, because others are squatting on public land , thus preventing the rest of us from using this area, nice for some,buta very selfish outlook"

    July 7th, 2009 at 08:51 AM

  19. Meryll Harris says "From my visual aspect I see plenty of beach for all. There is wonderful picnic areas, either set out with tables and BBQ area or places to just flop and enjoy the peace and tranquility. The bachs are home for many and I see no problem in them stay for their remaining lifetime at least. I agree also these bachs are an icon to the NZ way of life and to remove them would be a sad loss. One more thing, why is it a worry that they are on road reserve - the road has already been widened to the latest specifications so the land may as well stay for the bachs and the general public use. Interestingly enough only the Ligar Bay road has been widened, the continuing road either side of Ligar Bay remains narrower and perfectly usable!"

    July 7th, 2009 at 10:37 AM

  20. Allan says "Baches at the beach are part of our NZ heritage. Could it be that the people who want them removed are jealous? Extend the leases and leave them as they are."

    July 7th, 2009 at 10:37 AM

  21. Glennis says "There are eight Ligar Bay baches - by bulldozing them how is Ligar Bay/Golden Bay going to be improved. Let them stay!"

    July 7th, 2009 at 10:41 AM

  22. Kate says "The baches are part of what makes Ligar Bay so beautiful, don't destroy them, let them stay."

    July 7th, 2009 at 10:45 AM

  23. observer says "It was a very generous deal, made in good faith 25 years ago. Some of these baches have changed hands during the lease period. Several are leased out commercially as holiday renters. The costs associated with living there are minimal. Low lease paid for a million dollar site,(imagine purchasing the land and paying real market rates). They did not have to join the sewerage scheme, a very expensive exercise for many residents. The bach owners have had every chance over 25 years to save for a section to relocate their bach/home. There is very little beachside coastland available to the public now. Imagine the situation in another 10-25 years if the lease is extended."

    July 7th, 2009 at 12:16 PM

  24. Tafili says "This may be crown land but they have allowed people to live here for so long that it should become an exception to the rule and gain historic status protection. This has happened in woodpecker bay, so why not here in ligar bay? The trend these days seems to be tear down our remaining iconic baches... "

    July 7th, 2009 at 12:47 PM

  25. resident says "Where do you draw the line? If these leases are extended now the same argument will occur in the future. The TDC and bach owners must honour the existing agreement. We heard these exact same arguments 20 years ago and if the lease is extended, we'll hear them again just before the lease runs out in 2039, 2064, 2089....... When will it end? "

    July 7th, 2009 at 12:54 PM

  26. abru says "The baches were first buildings in Ligar Bay apart from the farm, and were built on land donated by Mr Organ (who built the first bach). They're part of the bay's history, they represent a way of life once very much Golden Bay, and their owners are part of our community. "

    July 8th, 2009 at 11:42 AM

  27. simon jones says "I agree with the above comment and others in a similar vein... there is plenty of space there already for the public to use, and the baches are definitely 'historic' - why not give them all a lease that expires at the death of the owner or when they want to vacate, if sooner?"

    July 8th, 2009 at 12:58 PM

  28. JT says "If the baches are removed, equity requires that all private property, on all road reserves within the district is identified and similarly removed - houses, fences, sheds, signage, stock - the lot. It is clearly inequitable to impose costs on (or remove benefits from) those in society with private property on one particular road reserve."

    July 8th, 2009 at 06:28 PM

  29. Rose says "our bach has been shared over several decades by a large and diverse number of people. These people, friends and extended family, include; overseas visitors, honeymoon couples, a group of intellectially disabled men, very young children and their grandparents, parents and their children and people needing a break away from a stressful situation. These people have been able to experience a simpler lifestyle that no longer exists in many other places."

    July 10th, 2009 at 05:17 PM

  30. heather says "My family and I have spent many holidays in one of the Ligar Bay baches. They are beautifully located and add character to Ligar Bay which otherwise would be entirely made up of new housing stock. During my stays at Ligar Bay I have NEVER seen the beach 'busy' to the point where there was , not enough room to park, not enough room to play, not enough room to swim or launch a boat. Considering the number of new houses now occupied, surprisingly few of the people in them actually use the beach or the currently available reserve. This is not a criticism of them but a point worth considering if 'space' was an issue in removing the baches. My inclination would be to let them stay, on historic and community grounds--they are the most atractive part of Ligar Bay in my opinion "

    July 13th, 2009 at 03:37 PM

  31. heather says "My family and I have spent many holidays in one of the Ligar Bay baches. They are beautifully located and add character to Ligar Bay which otherwise would be entirely made up of new housing stock. During my stays at Ligar Bay I have NEVER seen the beach 'busy' to the point where there was , not enough room to park, not enough room to play, not enough room to swim or launch a boat. Considering the number of new houses now occupied, surprisingly few of the people in them actually use the beach or the currently available reserve. This is not a criticism of them but a point worth considering if 'space' was an issue in removing the baches. My inclination would be to let them stay, on historic and community grounds--they are the most atractive part of Ligar Bay in my opinion "

    July 13th, 2009 at 03:37 PM

  32. Kathy L. says "Not only are the baches along the beach at Ligar Bay a charm and delight to passersby, they are homes to present owners. Regardless of an arbitrary date on a lease - Council has the power to be civil and humane and grant present owners lifetime licenses. Let it be so and say no to removal until dwellers have left or passed on."

    July 14th, 2009 at 12:46 AM

Have Your Say

Have Your Say

Latest Discussion Articles

GB Weekly Shadow