Dredging appeal begins

The appeal against Port of Tauranga plans to deepen and widen harbour channels is being heard by the Environment Court this week.

Sitting in the conference room of Mount Maunganui's Oceanside Resort and Twin Towers, the court is hearing the appeal by iwi against the resource consent permitting the port company to remove 15 million cubic metres of sediment from the harbour.


Port of Tauranga.

The dredging project is intended to deepen the channels by three metres, allowing larger ships to use the port at all states of the tide.

The Port's plan to deepen the port's shipping channels received Environment Bay of Plenty approval last June.

EBOP's recommendation to the Minister was made subject to conditions, including the establishment of a Tangata Whenua Reference Group to enable a free flow of information, and to provide for the value of traditional environmental knowledge in decision-making with respect to monitoring, research and kaimoana restoration;

A Kaimoana Restoration Plan was to be created to mitigate the loss of kaimoana; The provision of a bond to deal with any unforeseen adverse effects on the environment; How Tanea Shelf, a rocky outcrop at the base of Mount Maunganui inside the harbour mouth and the removal of boulders are to be treated; and the provision of greater detail with respect to disposal of the dredged material.

Research and monitoring associated with the consent, as well as a kaimoana restoration programme, will be carried out with the advice and assistance of tangata whenua.
Local Iwi and hapu opposed the application at the consent hearing in March.

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11 comments

$ for Tauranga, or kina for the bro?

Posted on 04-04-2011 15:37 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

I would agree with the Iwi IF!!!! they can produce the ongoing MILLIONS of $ that will be LOST to the port when the new bigger ships can't come in our current shallow channel. 2 sides to every argument, mega$ coming into the Tauranga community on one side, POSSIBLE reduction in available Kina to a small vocal selfish minority on the other. Really a no-brainer, common sense versus PC stupidity, so I am worried!


Who gets the millions xensdad

Posted on 04-04-2011 15:50 | By Mikes Harley

.


Posted on 04-04-2011 16:25 | By Hebegeebies

Port seems to be a good citizen when it comes to the environment as a rule after all they have to live with and in it.Iwi on the other hand you wouldn't have a clue about what the motives are for this appeal.Who are meeting Iwis legal and associated costs on this appeal.Unfortunately it has the look about what is in it financially for iwi and massaging the mana.


Kua kaheko te tuna i roto i aku ringaringau

Posted on 04-04-2011 16:29 | By Hebegeebies

.


Hmmm, who does get the millions?

Posted on 04-04-2011 16:40 | By SpeakUp

I'm sure that there'll be a taniwha that needs to be appeased with a generous bribe. Taxpayer funded of course. Then the bureaucratic machine wants to be greased and maintained, the Court, EBoP, the establishment of a Tangata Whenua Reference Group, research and monitoring associated with the consent, a kaimoana restoration programme, consultants, lawyers, advisors and other hanger-ons. But apart from this, isn't there a hidden agenda to prepare the port for big oil industry? Betcha once the iwi functionaries smell the oil, the concern for shellfish, mussel beds or erosion will suddenly become nonexistent. Then you can kiss the pristine beaches goodbye. Have you ever walked a beach with off-shore drilling close by?


port development

Posted on 04-04-2011 16:48 | By Glen Clova

Kill the goose that lays the golden egg and there will be less Kina for the Bro`s as we will all be eating them.


Free flow of info???

Posted on 04-04-2011 20:08 | By al pillocksworth

Reading that EBOP suggests a Tangata Whenua Reference Group to enable the free flow of information, I'm sure they really mean a paid flow of information. As to providing for traditional environmental knowledge in decision making, I guess you'd have to ask the Moa about that. Next time there's a consent perhaps everyone should join in the opposition, then everyone could get their hands on the Port cash.


where

Posted on 04-04-2011 21:57 | By Capt_Kaveman

is the iwi at stopping the removal of native mangroves? the sand should be put on the main beach to make it more safe than the current steepness it has become due to the leveling of the main beach by the groomer


Badly informed

Posted on 05-04-2011 07:23 | By Chris

There seem to be a lot of poorly formed opinions from commenters on this site whose preconceived ideals prevent them from understanding these issues objectively. Also, isn't it funny how people so fervently "defend" a listed corporation in their unmatched desire to be anti-iwi on every issue? You understand that this isn't a taxpayer/ratepayer project, right? This is a large listed company wanting to undertake a project which significantly impacts the environment. Due process should be welcomed here.


Progress Score PORT 10 vs. IWI Nil

Posted on 05-04-2011 08:09 | By Hebegeebies

Of course EBOP set up the Reference Group for an interchange of funds its the vehicle track for the gravy train.Hoped to placate the greedy little gremlins but it hasn't worked yet.THE PORT should request that this provision be removed from any consent.Why because its f#@*%^g bull#### that's why.


While you're at it...

Posted on 05-04-2011 08:13 | By barracouda

Dredge the rest of the harbour channels too, especially those silted by the collapse of the Ruahihi power stationat the mouth of the Wairoa, the entrance to Te Puna channel and the middle of the harbour channel.


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