ECO - Environment and Conservation Organisation of Aotearoa New Zealand

Upcoming Submissions

Upcoming submissions on a wide range of environment and conservation issues including:

Parliamentary legislation,
Select Committee enquiries,
Conservation Plans and Strategies,
National Policy Statements and Environmental Standards,
Maritime Rules,
and others etc.

LATEST Consultation

Chatham Rock Phosphate marine consent application

Submissions are open for New Zealand largest open cast mine as a marine consent application by Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd (CRP) to mine phosphate nodules from the Chatham Rise in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone. CRP is proposing to mine at least 30 sq. km of seabed per annum (an area equivalent to a third of Wellington Harbour per year) to meet its annual minimum production target of 1.5 million tonnes of phosphate nodules. The total application is to mine over 35 years 10,192 km.² This area is twice the area of Auckland City and nearly 6 times area of Stewart Isld/Rakiura.

Submissions closed 5pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on 10 July 2014. Full details about the application are available at the EPA website: http://www.epa.govt.nz/EEZ/chatham_rock_phosphate/Pages/default.aspx

To make a submission you can use the EPA online portal: http://www.epa.govt.nz/EEZ/chatham_rock_phosphate/information_submitters/Pages/default.aspx

KASM - Kiwis Against Seabed Mining has more information and a submission form on their website.

For links to other submissions see ECOs submission page.

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OMV marine consent application

OMV New Zealand Ltd has applied for a marine consenet to undertake further development drilling in the South Taranaki Bight.

OMV is currently drilling in the Maari field in the South Taranaki Bight in accordance with its petroleum mining permit. This activity falls under the transitional provisions of the EEZ Act. However, the transitional provisions ceased on 28 June 2014 and a marine consent application was required to be lodged before 28 June in order to continue drilling past this date. Drilling can now continue until a decision on the notified application is made. The development drilling involves drilling up to seven development wells from within existing conductor slots at the Maari wellhead platform.

The decision-making committee, will be appointed in July by the EPA to consider all submissions made by the public and people could choose to speak directly to the committee at public hearings.

Submissions on the application must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 29 July 2014. Full details about the application and how to make a submission are available on the EPA website at www.epa.govt.nz/eez/omv/Pages/default.aspx.

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Submissions sought on new insecticide, Mainman APP202145

The EPA is calling for submissions on an application to import an insecticide, MAINMAN, containing the active ingredient flonicamid, to control various insect pests in potatoes and other horticultural crops.

The applicant, ISK New Zealand Ltd, has indicated that MAINMAN, is approved in Europe and the USA but is new to New Zealand. MAINMAN has a different mode of action to products currently available in New Zealand, so using it would minimise the risk of pest resistance. In addition, flonicamid is less toxic than other insecticide active ingredients currently available.

A summary of the application APP202145 and the application form can be found here: See the summary of the application

The public are invited to give their opinion on the application to the Environmental Protection Authority, submissions will be used to inform an independent decision-making committee who will decide whether to approve or decline the application. The submission period will close at 5pm on 24 July 2014. Submission forms from the EPA:

Submissions must be provided in writing either by email to submission@epa.govt.nz or mail to Private Bag 63002, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

Submitters may also choose to present their views in person at a hearing, the date of which will be confirmed after submissions close. Further information on EPA submissions can be found at: www.epa.govt.nz/about-us/have-your-say

Questions about the submission or hearing process can be addressed to Sian Robertson at sian.robertson@epa.govt.nz or phone 04 474 5564 or 0800 376 234

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Regional Councils etc

Auckland Unitary Plan - Further Submissions

Cross-submissions on the Auckland Unitary plan have been called. We now have an opportunity to support or oppose submissions in the cross-submission phase - see http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/planspoliciesprojects/plansstrategies/unitaryplan/Pages/furthersubmissions.aspx

"You must make your further submission using the form prescribed by the Resource Management Regulations 2013. You can find the form on our further submission form page, or at any Auckland Council library, service centre or local board office.

You have until 5pm on Tuesday 22 July 2014 to lodge your further submission."

Resource Consent

MV Rena Resource

Submissions are open on the proposal to leave the remains of the wreck of the MV Rena on Astrolabe Reef and surrounding marine environment. Bay of Plenty Regional Council have established a website for this proposal (http://www.renaresourceconsent.org.nz/) and have extended the submission period. The proposal is also subject to a Waitangi Tribunal urgent hearing.

If you would like to make a submission on the MV Rena resource consent application you can do so electronically or by providing your submission in hard copy . Submission period closes on 8 August 2014. The Council has electronic submission form (http://www.renaresourceconsent.org.nz/submission/) so that once lodged, the submission will be electronically forwarded to both the Regional Council and the applicant.

Download the submission form here: Rena Template Submission Form (Electronic); orRena Template Submission Form (Handwritten)

Any submission must identify if the submitter supports, opposes or is neutral to the application, identify if the submitter wishes to be heard at the resource consent hearing, and state the reasons for making the submission under the Resource Management Act.

Hard copies can be sent to Bay of Plenty Regional Council, PO Box 364, Whakatane 3158 Attn: MV Rena – Submission. A copy must also be sent to the applicant at Astrolabe Community Trust, C\O Beca, PO Box 903, Tauranga 3140, Attn: Cushla Loomb. Everyone who lodges a submission on the application will be advised via email, or post, how the resource consent application process will proceed.

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RMA Changes

The National Government has put on hold further changes to the Resource Management Act till after the Election after they failed to get support from their support partners United and the Maori Party.

The Changes proposed were described in an 83-page consultation paper titled Improving Our Resource Management System. Amongst the changes were a rewrite of Part II the Purpose and Principles of the Act which would have fatally weakened the environmental bottom line in the legislation.

Below is a list of the agencies and links to upcoming consultations