Whareroa Marae environment spokesman Joel Ngātuere considered the withdrawn application as a win. Photo / George Novak
Whareroa Marae environment spokesman Joel Ngātuere considered the withdrawn application as a win. Photo / George Novak
Whareroa Marae is celebrating success in its mission to move heavy industry out of Mount Maunganui.
An oil company's application to build a jet fuel tank farm near the 150-year-old marae has been withdrawn during the court of appeal process.
The marae, of Ngāi Te Rangi hapū Ngāti Kuku andNgāi Tukairangi, opposed resource consent applications by Timaru Oil Services Ltd to build and operate four 20m-high tanks to store A-1 jet fuel and diesel at 216 Totara St.
Image illustrating the distance between the leased site and Whareroa. Photo / NZME
Earlier this year, it was heard that consent could not be granted for cultural and visual effects. It came after independent hearing commissioner Gina Sweetment considered the applications at a hearing late last year under delegation from the Tauranga City Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. However, Timaru Oil Service appealed the decision.
Marae environment spokesman Joel Ngātuere said he classified the withdrawn application as a win.
"We will enjoy it but we are also mindful of, what's next?"
The industrial-zoned site, owned by the Port of Tauranga, is about 300m from the marae, with a community including a kohanga reo, office buildings and 14 private homes with about 80 residents in between.
The marae called for the exit of heavy industry from Mount Maunganui following public outcry over the tank farm and pressure from Whareroa Marae last year.
The possibility of heavy industry surrounding the marae to exit across 10 years is being explored by councils. Photo / NZME
Both councils have agreed to explore the possibility of a future managed retreat of polluting industries from the Hewletts Rd industrial area in Mount Maunganui.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council consents manager Reuben Fraser confirmed the consent application had been withdrawn during the appeal process and following mediation.
The company did not provide any reasons, Fraser said.
Asked for the council's view on the impact the jet fuel storage tank may have had on the surrounding communities, Fraser said the decision made by the independent commissioner at the beginning of the year was "sound".
"The independent commissioner found there would be an adverse impact on the social and cultural wellbeing of the Whareroa community by allowing the proposal.
"The decision deals with other aspects of potential health effects, and we think the conclusions reached in the decision are sound."
Timaru Oil Services managing director Philippe Dubau was approached for comment.
A Port of Tauranga spokeswoman said it was not party to the resource consent application.
"I can confirm that Timaru Oil Services has requested to be released from its lease of 216 Totara St, and as the landowner we have agreed to that request."
The spokeswoman did not respond when asked what plans were for the now-vacant site.
