PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE HARBOUR is a Citizens’ Advocacy Group that supports preserving Cobourg’s Heritage Harbour. We strongly oppose any expansion of the Marina or further destruction of the Waterfront Nature Park. We wish to see Cobourg’s Heritage Harbour remain a tranquil, beautiful spot.
We are not opposed to the Cobourg Marina as such, or to the Cobourg Yacht Club, or to boating. We oppose the expansion of the Marina into the open waters of our Heritage Harbour or destruction of the Waterfront Nature Park.
The Cobourg Marina expanded by 32 boat slips in 2014. It then proposed expanding by another 120 slips, this time into the open waters west of the Centre Pier. This expansion would have necessitated increased boat storage and parking in the area, destroyed the view and the serenity, and would have a profound, year-round, adverse effect upon all natural aspects of the harbour.
It would also have required a $2.9 Million loan to be paid back over fifteen years. This expansion was staunchly opposed by the Survivor Thrivers dragon–boating club and by the Cobourg Dragon Boat and Canoe Club (both of which have said they will have had to close if the expansion took place), by the Willow Beach Field Naturalists and by The Northumberland Land Trust.
Click here to see what Council Members said during the last municipal election campaign.
Due to this community outcry and opposition, the proposed expansion was stopped. However, the harbour is still at risk from dredging operations. We acknowledge that dredging is needed. However it must be done in a way that doesn’t destroy the Waterfront Nature Park by bulldozing and dumping of dredged sand on a sensitive eco-system that’s habitat for 270 species.
If you wish to see this stopped, join us at PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE HARBOUR. Write or speak to your Mayor and Council and check for news updates on whether a Town public discussion has been scheduled.
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