Studies positive on Te Araroa marine facility

Promoters of a barge facility at Te Araroa say building rock walls reaching into the sea will increase biodiversity and encourage species like kina and mussels.

Te Araroa Kāhui Kupenga Marine Access Facility Working Group held a zoom hui with the community last Friday to release cultural, environmental and commercial impact assessment reports.

Working group secretary Tiwana Tibble says the studies show there will be minimal impacts which need mitigation.

A marine ecology report, which included scuba dives, research dredge drags and a video, found no reefs or shellfish beds.

A supply chain expert forecast a significant reduction of log truck traffic on SH35 south of Ruatoria, and currently uneconomic forest blocks within 45km of Te Araroa will become more commercially viable because of lower cartage costs.

The group wants to get resource consent by June next year to build the facility for commercial and recreational purposes by 2026.

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