A newly formed society aimed at challenging commercial rafting on the Mataura and Oreti Rivers has filed an application for a judicial review in a bid to let the public to have a say on the proposal.
In November, the Southland District Council (SDC) granted resource consent for a commercial rafting operation on the Mataura and Oreti Rivers, subject to a range of conditions which would be monitored and reviewed during the initial 10-year term.
The NZ Southern Rivers Society Inc has started an online fundraiser to oppose the proposal.
It said the proposal had the potential to have "significant adverse impacts on these rivers and their angling amenity due to the disturbances the rafting activity will cause to fish and their feeding behaviours".
"Brown trout have a sharp sense of sight and are sensitive to movement. The movement of rafts along the river is highly likely to spook the trout and directly affect the ability of anglers to fish. Both these rivers are shallow rivers which the rafting operation proposes to use."
The statement also said the society believed the proposal should have been publicly notified to allow it to be ‘‘subject to sensible and respectful discussion and ensure the interests of anglers were considered".
"To achieve this, the society has engaged lawyers and a Queen’s Counsel and has filed an application in the High Court for judicial review, which if successful will allow the public to be heard on the proposal."
SDC team leader resource management Marcus Roy said, “Resource Management Act tests around any adverse effects of the activity were determined as less than minor and therefore the application was not required to be publicly notified. The applicant also made amendments to his application in order to mitigate the effects on other users."
He said the applicant changed his initial application so during the fishing season rafting would only operate in the Upper Mataura when the river was flowing at or above 30 cumecs, when it was unlikely any fishermen would be around.
"The two activities can co-exist."
The fundraising page raised about $2000 in two days, and has a goal of $200,000.
