Proposed boat moorings, Governors Bay, 1960s/70s

In response to my last blog post (Jetty, wharf, pier, quay, dock...???) Morrin Rout wrote on Facebook…

I'm impressed by how many boats are moored in Gov Bay in Alison Hussey's photo from 1969 - it's somewhat sad that there are now only two, one being the lovely Lionel Jefcoate designed and built, 'Lyric'.

Governors Bay c. 1969 (Alison Hussey)

This prompted the following reply from Murray Radcliffe...

There should have been a whole lot more. Around the mid 50's Mt Herbert County Council and the LHB were in talks as to the possibility of dredging a large basin on the Sandy Bay side of the Jetty with a dredged channel leading out to higher water. The LHB wanted the moored boats out of the inner harbour and this was considered an option. MHCC had agreed to upgrade Jetty Road from the narrow shingle one-way width road that it was at the time. They also agreed to replace the timber bridge situated where the now concrete bridge stands, as well as forming a large parking area down near the base of the Jetty. As I recall, this almost took place, all that prevented the project going ahead was the estimated cost of constantly having to keep the access channel open and deep enough for launches and yachts. Approximately 2,000 pounds a year. 

At this point I had an ‘aha’ moment.  I had been searching old Lyttelton Harbour Board files and thought I had glimpsed something about this. Sure enough, a day’s work on the somewhat frustrating digital files returned the following slides. 

Proposed yachting facilities, Governors Bay, July 1962, Lyttelton Harbour Board, Canterbury Regional Council

The development proposed in this slide would have changed Governors Bay significantly. To the left of the jetty there is a reclaimed area for a clubhouse, car park and something else I can't make out. The plan is for 24 yachts per lane with a total capacity of 266 yachts. An access channel is to be dredged on the Sandy Bay side of the long jetty.

By 1970 the proposal had been downsized to moorings for 50 boats under 25ft and 12 boats over 25ft.

Proposed boat moorings, Governors Bay, July 1970, Lyttelton Harbour Board, Canterbury Regional Council

The final slide related to yacht moorings, dated 1977, makes no sense to me at all. If anyone can clarify what this graphic is all about, that would be great. I’m also interested to know what people think about the 1962 marina proposal – what it would have meant for Governors Bay then and now...

Governors Bay moorings - angle arc plot, Dec 1977, Lyttelton Harbour Board, Canterbury Regional Council