Dunedin needs an area to store hazardous substances without
the need for a resource consent, and Port Otago has the best
location, a Dunedin City Council hearings committee was told
yesterday.
Picketing over a single Port Otago redundancy proposal at
Port Chalmers caused no disruption yesterday, but a surprise
stop-work meeting is expected to be announced today.
Port Otago's half-year result was buoyed by its property
division in the face of substantial declines in some areas of
its port operations, but replicated last year's $2.5 million
dividend to 100% owner the Otago Regional Council.
Contract negotiations with the Maritime Union of New Zealand,
which at the Ports of Auckland led to the sacking of almost
300 workers yesterday, are set to begin at Port Chalmers next
month.
A cost-sharing deal that could help tackle erosion at Te
Rauone Beach, on Otago Peninsula, has been ruled out by the
Otago Regional Council before it has even been discussed.
The Dunedin City Council could resort to an unauthorised
budget overspend, if required, to address erosion residents
say is threatening homes on Te Rauone beach, on Otago
Peninsula, Mayor Dave Cull says.
Any cruise ship visit
delays or cancellations were unfortunate, but the frequency
of schedule changes was not on the rise, the Port Otago
commercial manager says.
Escalating industrial action at the Ports of Auckland is
having no effect on southern exports as Port Otago prepares
to move into the height of its busy season.
