Akaroa Council concerned at lack off appeal chance

Press, 20 December 1986, Page 10

Akaroa Council concerned at lack off appeal chance

The Akaroa County Council is concerned at the lack of opportunity for appeals if two applications for salmon farming in AkaroaHarbouraregranted by the Ministry of Fisheries.

Councillors expressed their concern at yesterday’s meeting after approving their written objection to two applications for salmon farming within the harbour.

The applications, from Mr C. T. Bates and Solarol (Queensland), Ltd, have been made to the Ministry of Fisheries under the Marine Farming Act 1971.

The council objects to the granting of further salmon farming licences for several reasons, including the danger of unacceptable levels of sea

bed pollution, and the fact that further farms would significantly interfere with any existing or proposed recreational or fishing uses from other boat users.

The County Clerk, Mr Lyn Graham, said the Ministry had already received several objections. All would be considered, but there was no final access to a Planning Tribunal appeal. Cr Robyn Grigg said she was concerned the council was losing the opportunity to debate the development of the harbour.

Cr Phillip Cooke said the council “must have an input into the decision” on salmon farming. An appropriate balance needed to be kept between commercial and re-

creational uses of the harbour and its environment to provide the greatest level of benefit to the people of the district and region, says the council’s written objection, prepared by its town planning barrister, Mr John Milligan. Any positive contribution likely to be made by further salmon farms within the Akaroa Harbour would be "significantly” outweighed by the detrimental effect on the harbour and its environment, to both the inhabitants of the region and its potential value to the tourist industry in New Zealand, said the council in its objection. Akaroa had an established fishing industry which, although affected by declining catches and

Government regulations, was and would remain of significance in the economy of the area, said the council.

Mr Bates has already been granted an experimental licence for a small salmon farm based in Lucas Bay near the Akaroa Harbour heads, but he has now applied for a full licence from the department The council had originally given approval for the department to grant Mr Bates an experimental licence. In a letter to the “Akaroa Mail,” Mr Bates said he had applied to the department for an additional area in neighbouring Titoki Bay, which he said would enable the farm to “develop into an economic unity.”