Court battle continues over wharf

The Ports of Auckland. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Ports of Auckland has today begun presenting its case in the court wrangle over two wharf extensions to Bledisloe Wharf.

The case has been brought by Urban Auckland -- a society of architects and professional planners -- which is challenging the lawfulness of the consents for the two extensions, about 100m into the Waitemata Harbour.

This morning, Jim Farmer, QC, acting for the port company, said port activities were a permitted activity.

He said it was entirely inappropriate for issues like planning policy, environmental, economic and social issues to be raised in relation to a specific proposal, in this case, extension of the wharf.

Mr Farmer said it was inappropriate of Urban Auckland's Queens Counsel Dr Matthew Palmer to drag the matter of discretionary status of one consent application for stormwater discharge to apply to the consents for wharf construction.

The rules for construction are a lesser, controlled activity.

Alan Galbraith, QC, completed the case for Auckland Council this morning, arguing the consent process was an orthodox and reasonable application of the council's policy, taking into account that the consents to construct the wharf were for a controlled activity, which could not be declined.