Challenges to Port Otago's proposal to dump dredge material
at a new open-sea disposal site will be heard over two weeks
in the Environment Court in Dunedin starting on November 16.
Port Otago's Project Next Generation proposed to deepen and
widen Otago Harbour's lower channel, swinging area and lower
berths to allow for the passage of larger ships and deposit
the dredge spoil at sea.
A hearing was held last year and an independent panel
approved the project's resource consents subject to
conditions, but a group of submitters appealed the decision
to the Environment Court.
Mediation since had resolved the concerns of the Careys Bay
Association and Southern Clams Ltd, regarding inner-harbour
activities.
However, the appeals relating to the open-sea disposal site
by the East Otago Taiapure management committee, paua, rock
lobster and commercial fishing groups remained unresolved
despite further meetings.
A court hearing on these issues would be held from November
26 to 30 and December 10 to 13.
The Otago Regional Council has engaged a specialist in marine
sediments to prepare evidence for the hearing of the
challenges.
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