Residents from many different backgrounds, oppose the land based kingfish farm planned for Pukakura Rd, Katikati. Further research has increased our concerns. Aquaculture is in its infancy in New Zealand and the documentation for Pukakura is deficient.
Two hundred cubic metres per hour of water is to be pumped from the fragile, narrow, polluted channel of the Uretara River, across sea lettuce laden mudflats and flood prone farmland, causing new silting, sandbars and shifting channels. Used saline water will be discharged into a freshwater creek ruining protected wetlands. There are no nitrate/phosphate limits and no environmental impact reports.
Pukakura Rd on the edge of future urban Katikati. No studies have been done on noise, traffic, odour, and visual and community impacts. It cannot be the Councils' intent to seriously compromise the new District plan when there are other suitable sites.
The Regional Council have designated 380 hectares for aquaculture in Opotiki but there is no equivalent area in Katikati to allow operators to comply with the RMA, and help prevent the environmental disasters that have occurred overseas.
While we are not against aquaculture in the Bay but this project is not sustainable and not acceptable in Katikati.
Beverley Corbett, Katikati.