The Rena owner and insurer's application for resource consent to leave the wreck of the former containership on Astrolabe Reef has entered another phase of the process.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is in the process of considering Daina Shipping and The Swedish Club's application to have the resource consent application heard by the Environment Court instead of by the regional council.
The Rena split in two and became wedged on the Astrolabe Reef.
The regional council has jurisdiction on resource consent issues.
'We received the formal request outlining their reasons why they thought it should go through to the Environment Court, we received that within the timeframe,” says regional council media advisor Sue Allen Craig.
'And then we have 15 days in which to respond which takes us up to September 5.”
Regional council staff are going through the applicant's reasons and the public submissions on the application.
After notifying the applicant of the decision the council also has to inform the public submitters of its decision and prepare a report for the applicant within 20 working days, or by October 3.
The earliest an application can be lodged with the Environment Court is October 17.
The containership Rena struck the reef on October 5, 2011, and over ensuring weeks and months spilled oil, containers and general debris into the Bay of Plenty as it broke up.
The bow section remained stuck fast to the reef. The larger stern section broke off and sank into deeper water with the ship's stern currently lying more than 50 metres deep.
The owners and insurers want to be able to leave the larger section of the wreck in deep water after cleaning up the debris field.
4 comments
Its like the moon,
Posted on 27-08-2014 13:39 | By Sambo Returns
every few months another phase arrives.
What is the best process
Posted on 27-08-2014 13:47 | By Murray.Guy
For me, the desire by these overseas interests to leave their wreck in the waters and on the Astrolabe Reef must firstly be put to those in whose front yard it affects, impacts on - the good folk of Motiti. If it is, and it is, the intention of the overseas wreck owners to leave their crap on the front lawn of Motiti, then whatever process is used MUST BE that which best serves the interests of Motiti. It is beyond obscene that a company external to New Zealand can use our environmental processes that are meant to provide protection and enhancement for our Country, our communities, our natural environment and landscapes, our culture, solely for 'financial gain and benefit'. It is equally obscene that anybody, any authority, any group and organisation, should seek to assist them in this in an effort to secure personal gain.
Wisechief
Posted on 27-08-2014 19:42 | By Wise Chief
Rena is was insurance job with grounding timed to coincide with move by government here to rush through and implement EEZ extended economic zone laws to claim rights to control what is on in and also anchored to seabed in oceans around nz.This 3rd deliberate attempt by racially biased locals to block establishment of long proposed since 1980 of 100 klm long by 2 klm wide Mega Reef to grow wild seaweeds initiated by local Maori Chiefs to employ their youths and locals while creating some 80,000 permanent well paid jobs with profit sharing which will also boost tourism and increase fishing outputs for export and leisure markets etc. Multicentury lasting Reef will serve as refuge for locals when mega disasters and plagues strike. THUS VERY Important to BOP Populations long term survival.Need Your help to make happen and get rid of local national racists opposition.
@ murray Guy
Posted on 27-08-2014 19:48 | By Captain Sensible
The Astrolabe Reef is owned by all NZers, not just the Motiti Islanders. Seems you are too keen to give the maori mafia what they want.
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