Northport’s successful appeal at the Environment Court comes more than a year after a raft of resource consents relating to the project at Marsden Point, Whangārei Harbour, were declined by independent commissioners.
Northport’s plans included an almost 12-hectare reclamation, a 250-metre wharf extension, and 1.7 million cubic metres of dredging, enabling a new container terminal.
Previously, commissioners found the reclamation would have significant adverse effects on public access to the coast, recreation, and the cultural values of tāngata whenua.
The latest court decision released on Friday said that after engagement between Northport and local hapū Patuharakeke and Te Parawhau, a full agreement has been reached, resulting in both hapū withdrawing their opposition.
Updated consent conditions included Northport committing $500,000, over a nine-year period, for an integrated marine planning initiative.
Northport will also be having discussions with Forest and Bird around the monitoring of shore birds, before and after construction, as well as the surveying and relocation of native lizards.
To offset the loss of coastal open space and recreation values, Northport will be consulting with tāngata whenua on timeframes for delivery of the project and compliance.
The company will also be doing improvement works on Mair Road and Marsden Bay Drive, as well as upgrading a playground in the area.
Judge Jeff Smith stressed in his decision that Northport’s relationship with tāngata whenua was critical to the future of the port and Northland’s economy.
“Given the importance of the port to the Northland economy, I reiterate the importance of developing an ongoing respectful relationship between the port and the relevant tāngata whenua”.
Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board spokesperson Juliane Chetham said they were still digesting the court’s decision and would be commenting at a later point.
Northport says it can plan for the future with greater certainty
Northport said the consent had brought a conclusion to more than a decade of design, consultation, and negotiation.
It said the 35-year-term consents gave them flexibility to plan their expansion around projected freight demand.
Northport chief executive Jon Moore said the court’s ruling allowed them to plan for the future with greater certainty, and to support the Upper North Island freight demand well into the future.
“The port has said consistently that expansion would boost the economic well-being of not only Northland but also Auckland, the Upper North Island and New Zealand as a whole,” he said.
Northland Chamber of Commerce, Whangārei mayor, are excited at the news
Northland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leah McKerrow said she was relieved and excited that the consent had been approved for the port expansion.
It had been a long time coming, and the expansion would be key for Northland’s infrastructure, she said.
The green light gave Northlanders the confidence that investment was being made in the region, McKerrow said.
The extra capacity at the port in the future would serve both Northland and Auckland, she said.
Whangārei district mayor Vince Cocurullo said he was excited at the jobs that would be created once the construction on the project began.
He said he was expecting to see a lot more imports and exports from Northland, as well as extra capacity to support Auckland.
Cocurullo said he understood that the hapū’s concerns were lifted, and that they now had a good working relationship with Northport.
Originally published at rnz.co.nz
