New Zealand: Bay of Plenty Iwi to Consider Tauranga Port Dredging Appeal

Bay of Plenty iwi will consider appealing against an Environment Court decision allowing the Port of Tauranga to dredge the harbour to widen its shipping channels.

The dredging would remove about 15 million cubic metres of material from the seabed, leaving the main channel into the port just over 17 metres deeper.

Iwi are concerned about how that will affect pipi beds in the area.

The Environment Court acknowledges it is an issue, but says the clam’s survival in the area is not at risk.

[mappress]

Dredging Today Staff, December 29, 2011; Image: port-tauranga