At least five groups will appeal to the Environment Court an independent panel's decision to grant Port Otago consent to dredge Otago Harbour and deposit spoil at sea.
The Port Chalmers Fishermen's Co-operative, CRA 7 (Otago) management committee, Southern Clams, East Otago Taiapure and the Careys Bay Association have decided to appeal the decision made by the Otago Regional Council's panel last month. The appeal period ends on Monday.
The Port Chalmers Fishermen's Co-operative spokesman Steve Little said members had decided it was important to fight for the rights of the few fishermen who trawled the area where the spoil was to be dumped.
"We don't have a lot of resource but they have clearly not taken on board that these guys will be badly affected."
It was hoped the appeal would lead to mediation with Port Otago and a better result for the fishermen, he said.
Southern Clams managing director Roger Belton said the appeal was regrettable as the project was important for the region, but he did not think conditions adequately addressed the impact on the marine environment or on those who depended on the health and wellbeing of the harbour habitats.
"We will be seeking more effective mitigation, and prevention of adverse effects arising as a result of the work.
"It is as if our marine environment has no importance other than for shipping."
CRA 7 (Otago) management committee executive officer Simon Gilmore said as with the other groups, rock lobster fishermen hoped to get more rigorous conditions in the adaptive management plan than what had been imposed by the hearing panel.
East Otago Taiapure management committee deputy chairman Allan Anderson said the committee was appealing the consent allowing the port to dispose of 7.2 million cubic meters of spoil off-shore near the taiapure as it believed it had the potential to have a significant impact on the health and productivity of its ecosystems.
"We do not have confidence that we will be able to responsible manage the taiapure because of the effects and actions of the consent."
It is seeking a re-design of the soil disposal proposal and mitigation of the effects.
Careys Bay Association secretary Jo Taylor said the association felt its concerns about the noise from port activities on the planned multipurpose wharf extension had not been heard.
It was also engaging with the Dunedin City Council whose responsibility it was to regulate noise from the port.
However, after consultation, the Surfbreak Protection Society had decided not to appeal. "We are working with the Otago Regional Council on best practices," spokeswoman Nic Reeves said.
Port Otago chief executive Geoff Plunket yesterday declined to comment until the company had seen the grounds for the appeals.
The Environment Court will encourage mediation and if agreed to, it assigns an environment commissioner to oversee the process. If the issues are unable to be resolved, the appeals will go to a hearing. Lodging an appeal costs $511. Further costs are borne by the parties involved, with any claims for costs decided by the court.
