Dunedin City Council support for a community project to restore the Aramoana wharf has increased some residents' fears for the future of the area's sea lion population and salt marsh.
The council has agreed to pay for an archaeological assessment of the wharf so the project, being run by the Aramoana League, can move on to the next stage, and a heritage impact assessment, if necessary, after that.
That news came as a shock to the Aramoana Conservation Trust and Dunedin Forest and Bird who have been working with the Department of Conservation to ensure the area's endangered sea lion population and salt marsh reserve are looked after.
Trust chairman Bradley Curnow said in the public forum of a recent Otago Conservation Board meeting, the group was stunned to read in the Otago Daily Times the council was supporting the league to complete its proposal.
He said the area around the wharf was critical for sea lion breeding.
''We're incredibly emotional about our sea lions. They're great to have around.''
The group was fearful if the wharf was repaired it would enable tourist endeavours to stop and disembark people in the area.
''It's their [the sea lions'] home and their ecological reserve. We don't want to see them pushed out of their home.''
Forest and Bird Dunedin secretary Janet Ledingham said at the forum her group was also concerned about boats tying up to the wharf, encouraging sightseeing in that area. Dunedin City Council parks manager Lisa Wheeler said the council had made no decision on the future of the wharf.
It had asked for an archaeological and heritage report on the options and outcomes of either upgrading the wharf or removing it.
Once that report was completed it would go back to the council and the league for a decision to be made.
She hoped to commission someone to do the work before Christmas, but it would not go before the council until next year.
Department of Conservation coastal Otago conservation partnerships manager Mike Morrison said the wharf was not on public conservation land, but there was likely to be an impact on conservation land if the wharf was usable, as well as from maintenance work.
Doc required more information on the project before it could comment further, he said.
''Discussions are at preliminary stages.''
