The panel has spent the week hearing evidence from Port Otago mainly around the possible effects on the economy, ecology, fish, seabed, tides, marine mammals and birds, of its plans to deepen and widen the shipping channel in Otago Harbour and deposit the material off-shore.
Yesterday's visit to the port was part of a day-long site visit which included a road trip around the West Harbour area and a helicopter trip over the harbour.
Panel chairman Mr Lumsden said at the hearing on Thursday the "aerial reconnaissance" would enable them to see various features of the harbour and the disposal site.
Later in the hearing, the panel also planned to visit the port during the night while a ship was being loaded or unloaded, and to go to neighbouring settlements to assess the impact the port had on the community, he said.
The hearing will continue at the Otago Regional Council on Monday with submitters giving evidence.
