Port Otago’s consent application RM11.153 to dispose of dredged material at the Heyward Pt and Spit Beach (Aramoana Beach) for a further 3 years is a real and present threat to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) nationally listed surfbreaks of Aramoana, Karitane, and at Murderers Bay.
What is of concern to the Surfbreak Protection Society (SPS) is that The Director General’s submission is neutral and appears to attempt shifting responsibility on to the Otago Regional Council for the protection of the Nationally listed and regionally significant surfbreaks.
SPS fears that Doc has simply acquiesced to POL’s stance that they will not consider any other method of
disposal than at these sites, the nearest locations to the dredging activities.
The draft resource consent which goes to Council hearing on Monday May the 6th, proposes an “adaptive
management” approach which includes surfers logging on to a website to leave comments on how they feel surf
conditions are at the affected surfbreaks.
It is the view of SPS that this “dump and see what happens” approach is not best practice when the NZCPS
states that in such circumstances policy 3 the precautionary approach should be applied.
The SPS view is the depositing activities will have effects on the coastal environment that are uncertain,
unknown, or little understood, but potentially significantly adverse. The surfbreaks also have protection with
regard to policies 13,15, and 16, of the NZCPS, which state that adverse effects in these areas must be avoided.
SPS is disappointed that our views and concerns have been misrepresented in the councils per-hearings report
and subsequent Council Officers Recommending Report,SPS will be making a robust, articulate presentation to the upcoming hearing with professional representation from scientists specialised in quantifying surfing wave quality.
Our tourism and leisure assets must be protected adequately.