Surf break threat feared
Surf break threat feared
The effects on Aramoana's nationally protected surf breaks and on homes around Port Otago dominated the final submissions heard on the port company's proposed channel deepening and widening project.
Rebecca Fox
Hundreds at backyard festival
Hundreds at backyard festival
Oleh (Oli Cameron) performs at Feastock 2011 in Fea St, Pine Hill, on Saturday.
Sweet deal - butterfly finds a home
Sweet deal - butterfly finds a home
Being asked if you want to feed the butterfly is a slightly unexpected invitation, especially when visiting a suburban Dunedin home.
Looking for views
Looking for views
An early "dribble" of submissions to the Otago Regional Council's draft annual plan has come in, but staff members are expecting a late "torrent" next week.
Doc drops opposition to dredging harbour
Doc drops opposition to dredging harbour
In a turnaround, the Director-general of Conservation has dropped his opposition to Port Otago's Project Next Generation, saying his concerns have been resolved.
Careys Bay residents say noise will be worse
Careys Bay residents say noise will be worse
Their lack of success in getting Port Otago to deal with noise complaints has led Careys Bay residents to believe the Next Generation Project will only make things worse, especially the proposed multipurpose wharf extension.
Call for $15m-$20m port dredge-soil bond
Call for $15m-$20m port dredge-soil bond
Port Otago should be made to pay a "huge bond" of $15 million to $20 million to runanga to monitor the impact of the disposal of soil 10km away from the East Otago taiapure (coastal patch) to suit "the people, not the applicant", Kati Huriapa Runanga ki Puketeraki upoko David Ellison says.
Runanga stress site's importance
Runanga stress site's importance
It is completely "unthinkable" customary food gathering and kai moana (food from the sea) assets of Otago's coast be put in jeopardy, diminished or destroyed as a result of Port Otago's proposed dredging and disposal project, Kati Huirapa Runanga ki Puketeraki chairman Matapura Ellison says.
Ecological data lacking, critics tell hearing
Ecological data lacking, critics tell hearing
A lack of good, solid information on the effects of Port Otago's proposed channel widening or deepening is concerning those who live and fish in, and care for, the area's environment.
Seeing for themselves
Seeing for themselves
The independent panel hearing the Port Otago Project Next Generation resource consent applications were shown around the port yesterday.
Adverse ecological effect 'unavoidable'
Adverse ecological effect 'unavoidable'
An adverse effect on marine ecology from the disposal of large volumes of spoil could not be avoided by Port Otago's proposed channel deepening and widening project, aquatic ecologist Dr Mark James says.
Loss of fisheries habitat 'minor'
Loss of fisheries habitat 'minor'
The loss of fisheries habitat, cockle habitat in particular, within Otago Harbour would be minor as a result of Port Otago's proposed Project Next Generation, consultant fisheries scientist Richard Boyd says.
Harbour Dredging sand disposal disquiet allayed
Harbour Dredging sand disposal disquiet allayed
Modelling has shown virtually no sediment from the disposal of sand from the proposed dredging of the Otago Harbour channel will be deposited in Blueskin Bay or along the coast either side of Karitane Point, coastal scientist and environmental engineer Dr Robert Bell says.
Fonterra plea for port channel consent
Fonterra plea for port channel consent
Granting consent for Port Otago to deepen and widen its channel will be in the best interests of New Zealand's export sector, Fonterra trade and operations general manager strategy Nigel Jones says.
New wharf could mean more noise
New wharf could mean more noise
While the noise effects from dredging Otago Harbour are likely to be minor, operational noise from extending the multipurpose wharf might increase gradually in Careys Bay, acoustic consultant Keith Ballagh says.
Cost to region in not deepening port
Cost to region in not deepening port
If Otago Harbour is not deepened to take bigger vessels, by 2028 the region will have lost more than 890 jobs and $107 million a year, including $50 million a year in household income, economic consultant Geoffrey Butcher estimates.
Port puts forward case for dredging
Port puts forward case for dredging
Effects of Port Otago's Next Generation project will be avoided or mitigated by proposed conditions and an environmental monitoring plan, Port Otago's counsel told a hearing panel yesterday.
Dredging volumes great
Dredging volumes great
Due to the sheer volume of material to be dredged as part of the proposed widening and deepening of Otago Harbour's channel, an alternative disposal site is needed, Port Otago general manager infrastructure Lincoln Coe says.
'Serious' poaching ring busted
'Serious' poaching ring busted
A paua poaching operation has been busted by one of the biggest fisheries surveillance operations undertaken in Dunedin, the Ministry of Fisheries says.
Fury at southern roads classification
Fury at southern roads classification
A recommendation State Highway 1 from Dunedin to Invercargill not be classed nationally strategic "blows me away", Otago regional councillor Bryan Scott says.