Battle likely for marine farming

The future of marine farming at Port Gore, in the outer Pelorus Sound, is likely to come under scrutiny from the Environment Court after a split decision on the future of two existing farms in the area.

A Marlborough District Council hearings committee has agreed to a new, eight-year coastal permit for Port Gore Marine Farms' existing six-hectare site off Gannett Point, at Port Gore.

However, the committee, made up of district councillors Cliff Bowers, Liz Davidson and Jenny Andrews, turned down an application by Sanford for new coastal permits for their existing 9.7ha and 3ha sites off Pool Head, at Port Gore. Both applications were heard at a joint hearing in Blenheim in August.

The farms were both discretionary activities under the council's plan, which means the council has authority to approve or decline applications for renewed consents. Most Marlborough mussel farms are controlled activities, which means they are permitted under the district plan. The council cannot decline such applications but can put conditions on them.

In its decision, the committee said it decided in favour of the Port Gore Marine Farms application because the landscape behind the marine farm had not reached a level that would rule out a marine farm.

However, the committee had high praise for the efforts of landowners to return their properties to a more natural state.

"Changes to the environment of the area through regeneration, landscaping of buildings, could mean that at some time in the future marine farming was no longer appropriate in this location," the committee said.

In the decision against Sanford, the committee said that the character of the area had reached a stage where the presence of marine farm structures would significantly reduce the natural character of the area.

Both Port Gore Marine Farms and Sanford applications for new permits were the subject of opposition at last month's hearing.

Cockle Bay resident Cliff Marchant was among those who opposed both companies' applications and labelled the decision against Sanford as "awesome".

"[The marine farm] never should have been put there in the first place.

"It was a complete anomaly ... they never looked at the landscape [behind] when they originally granted it back in 1992."

Commenting on Port Gore Marine Farms' successful application, Mr Marchant said the committee had made a "reasonably fair decision".

"They want to see how the adjacent land fares over the next eight years. I agree with that. I think they've given us a bit of an opportunity to continue the good work."

However, he was unhappy that the committee had not addressed the fact that at least half the marine farm was operated outside its original consent boundaries.

He did not know if he would appeal.

Steffan Browning, speaking for Friends of Nelson Haven and Tasman Bay, and the Marlborough Environment Centre, said he was pleased the council had acknowledged, in part, the high natural character of the area.

However, by granting one of the consent applications the council had contradicted the intent of the Marlborough Sounds resource management plan "that was to prohibit marine farming in that part of the Port Gore".

He expected both organisations he was representing would appeal or join an appeal against the Port Gore Marine Farms consent.

Port Gore Marine Farms spokesman Ron Sutherland said the farm owners were happy with the council's decision.

Mr Marchant was wrong when he questioned the boundaries used by the farm as this had been settled before the hearing.

He was not thinking about what their chances were of getting another consent in 2017, given the committee's comments on the future of marine farming in the area.

"That's down the track ... there's still going to be a need to grow food, whether it's on the land or in the sea."

No-one from Sanford could be contacted for comment.

- The Marlborough Express