The Rena consent hearings enter their final few days this week, with Memo XX from the panel over-shadowing the final submissions.
The memo posted on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website last week seeks comments from participants in the hearing on the proposed conditions of consents.
The Rena struck Astrolabe Reef in October 2011. Photo: Maritime NZ.
The application from the Rena owners and insurers seeks permission under the Resource Management Act to leave the remainder of the wreck on the reef.
During the course of the hearing, submitters for and against the application have canvassed issues concerning the environmental impact of copper cargo that may be buried under the wreck and the leaching of tri butyl tin anti fouling as the hull rusts away.
The container ship struck Astrolabe Reef in October 2011, and subsequently broke up.
Extensive salvage work over subsequent years has cleared debris from the top of the reef and cut down the bow section, but a large part of the aft section, including the engine room, remains on the reef in water around 50m deep.
Motiti Environmental Management Inc Society's counsel Kate Barry-Piceno has submitted that the statutory authorities do not have the power or means to remove the wreck.
'This fundamental issue was conceded to in the opening legal submissions of the regional council,” says Kate.
If the consent is not granted, and the authorities try to seek removal, she submits the authorities would not have the power to require the type of mitigation and restoration project funding already being offered by Daina Shipping and The Swedish Club.
The hearings, taking place today and tomorrow, are at the Trinity Wharf Tauranga, and open with submissions from Tauranga City council and Joseph Pihana.
Tomorrow, Ngai Te Rangi iwi delivers its submissions before the hearings return to Baypark on Wednesday for closing statements from the Crown, Te Arawa and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Thursday and Friday are set aside for the Rena owners and insurers to reply and close. The panel is expected to reserve its decision.
5 comments
And....
Posted on 05-10-2015 12:26 | By NZgirl
back handers given out and the ship stays put...
And
Posted on 05-10-2015 20:56 | By firstperson
I assume NZgirl is against the wreck being left. Pity that those opposed like NZ girl did not concentrate on putting up the best case they could. Instead they chose to slag each other off. If they lose, I hope they realise that their useless submissions were the reason, so much for trying to protect the environment.
NZgirl
Posted on 05-10-2015 21:11 | By astex
I assume that you must have a great knowlege of salvage diving at 50m for youto make a comment like that. The dangers are huge when doing salvage work at that depth. The reef is now well on the road to recovery and any removal now will damage it all over again. I don't think that anyone wants to see the wreck forcibly removed only to see a diver die. Providing that there is a fund (that council cannot access) to cover any future issues that may arise let the Rena rest in peace.
quiet research
Posted on 06-10-2015 09:05 | By CC8
Yes quiet research, shows that Motiti Environmental Management Society Inc, is a toothless wonder. The society was inactive from its incorporation in 2008 until last year when it finally files an annual return for 2013 ...total funds available $80.00. Again this year subscriptions $140.00. No other returns,ever! The people who formed the society, and filed the incorporation papers include a lawyer and thirteen people who do not even live on Motiti....and one who does. The society has been in active and appears to have no local support, so is just another toothless entity who is being used to divide and conquer by the owners of Rena. It does beg the question...if the society has $140 in the bank, who is paying the Society's counsel, Kate Barry-Piceno , and what do they stand to gain?
The wreak can stay
Posted on 06-10-2015 19:20 | By NZgirl
But the toxic waste we cant see worries me more.
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