Port of Otago Capital Dredging Impacts
As part of the Port of Otago Ltd's capital dredging to allow for 6,500 TEU vessels, POL sought to increase the capacity of its nearshore disposal site.
As part of the Port of Otago Ltd's (POL) capital dredging to allow for 6,500 TEU vessels (the "Next Generation" project), POL sought to increase the capacity of its nearshore disposal site. However, both of these sites have potential to impact on the surfing wave quality of 2 of New Zealand's 17 surf breaks of National Significance.
This project included hydrodynamic modelling and analysis of historical bathymetry surveys to develop a better understanding of the interactions between the spoil sites and the surf breaks of National Significance. Although sediment is required to be put across the navigation channel to mimic the natural processes that would have occurred prior to port development, the volumes being proposed were considered too large and would likely result in negative impacts. Through the process of scenario modelling, a better understanding of the impacts was developed, and a temporary consent was granted to study the sites further. This has been managed through a working group (of which Dr Mead is a representative), and long-term consents are currently being sought with the support of all stakeholders.
