Guardians of the Sounds A voice for the Sounds community

Issues & submissions

Submissions, hearings and court appeals the Guardians have taken part in, newest first. Each entry links to its source.

2024

  1. Environment Court

    Friends of Nelson Haven appeal on the Marlborough Environment Plan

    Decision-maker
    Environment Court, Christchurch
    Reference
    ENV-2020-CHC-33
    Our part
    Section 274 party supporting the appellant (notice filed 8 June 2020)
    Outcome
    Decided; appeal otherwise dismissed

    Friends of Nelson Haven and Tasman Bay appealed the proposed plan on natural character, landscape and indigenous biodiversity. We joined in support, saying the relief sought would give effect to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement. Friends withdrew the natural character and landscape points in August 2021; the court issued its decision on the rest on 16 December 2024.

  2. Campaign

    Close Tory Channel to the Cook Strait ferries

    Directed at
    KiwiRail, Maritime New Zealand and Marlborough District Council
    Our part
    Public campaign; chair interviewed on RNZ
    Outcome
    Ongoing

    We want ferries and large ships to use the northern entrance of Queen Charlotte Sound rather than the narrow, winding Tory Channel / Kura Te Au. The call followed the grounding of the Aratere near Picton on 21 June 2024, which we said showed the ageing fleet and the route were disasters waiting to happen.

  3. Council hearing

    Ecologically Significant Marine Sites (plan Variation 2)

    Decision-maker
    Marlborough District Council hearing panel (heard 28 to 29 February 2024)
    Reference
    Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan, Variation 2
    Our part
    Submission (point 10.1) and joint further submission with the Marlborough Environment Centre (FS7)
    Outcome
    Decision issued

    The variation added 64 significant marine sites and buffers to the plan. We asked for all of Tory Channel to be recognised as ecologically sensitive rather than zoned piecemeal, for more research around McManaway Rock, and for coastal occupancy charges on aquaculture. The panel found our main request out of scope for this variation.

2023

  1. Environment Court

    OneFortyOne forestry appeal on the Marlborough Environment Plan

    Decision-maker
    Environment Court
    Reference
    ENV-2020-CHC-54
    Our part
    Section 274 party opposing the appeal (notice filed 8 June 2020)
    Outcome
    Resolved by consent order

    The forestry company OneFortyOne (formerly Nelson Forests) sought a lighter activity status for plantation harvesting in the Coastal Environment Zone. We opposed it, because it would stop the plan giving effect to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement. A consent order was issued and the appeal was otherwise dismissed.

2022

  1. Council hearing

    Waitohi Picton ferry precinct financing

    Decision-maker
    Marlborough District Council
    Reference
    Ferry precinct redevelopment financing consultation
    Our part
    Written submission (29 January 2022), heard by the council
    Outcome
    Submission heard

    The council consulted on a $110 million loan for Port Marlborough’s share of the new ferry terminal. We opposed it: the project did not qualify as “shovel ready”, its planning was incomplete, and larger ferries in Tory Channel raised safety risks. We asked for the northern entrance, lower speeds or smaller ships.

2021

  1. Council hearing

    NZ King Salmon bid to change farm compliance rules

    Decision-maker
    Independent commissioner for Marlborough District Council
    Reference
    Salmon farms in Te Hoiere / Pelorus and Tōtaranui / Queen Charlotte Sounds
    Our part
    One of four groups opposing
    Outcome
    Application declined

    NZ King Salmon asked to change how its farms’ environmental standards were measured, and to increase feed at one farm. The commissioner refused both, citing a waste footprint at Waitata Reach that might reach 800 metres from the pens. “This decision supports our concerns,” our spokeswoman said.

  2. Campaign

    Public meeting on the new ferries and terminal, Picton

    Directed at
    KiwiRail and Port Marlborough
    Our part
    Organised a public meeting at Picton School
    Outcome
    Held

    Residents wanted answers about KiwiRail’s larger new ferries and the fast-tracked terminal upgrade. We said the community had been left in the dark, and our chair took the questions to RNZ the next day.

2020

  1. Campaign

    Risk management policy for shipping in Tory Channel

    Directed at
    Maritime New Zealand, KiwiRail and the harbourmaster
    Our part
    Drafted a risk management policy
    Outcome
    Ongoing

    Before the larger ferries arrive, we asked that commercial shipping and large fishing boats move from Tory Channel to the northern entrance. Maritime NZ said it was aware of our concerns and KiwiRail said it was talking with us.

  2. Council hearing

    Open-ocean salmon farm off Cape Lambert (Blue Endeavour)

    Decision-maker
    Marlborough District Council
    Reference
    NZ King Salmon application, up to 8000 tonnes a year
    Our part
    Opposing submitter; paid for an ROV seabed survey used in evidence
    Outcome
    Consent granted

    One of five opposing submitters, with the Department of Conservation and Ngāti Kuia. We called the application premature, with elements of a gold-rush mentality for water space. The council granted consent in 2022.

Earlier

  • Government2019

    Sea cucumber and geoduck harvest in FMA 7

    Ministry for Primary Industries consultation. The Minister added a hand-gathering-only condition and a catch-spreading plan. Conditions added

  • Government2017

    Relocation of six salmon farms

    Opposed the Ministry for Primary Industries proposal under section 360A of the RMA, alongside Friends of Nelson Haven. Submission lodged

  • Government2011 to 2014

    NZ King Salmon plan change and Board of Inquiry

    A founding member of the Sustain Our Sounds coalition, which opposed the plan change before the EPA Board of Inquiry and took the 2014 Supreme Court appeal. We organised the 2012 protest flotilla. Coalition member

  • Government2011

    Aquaculture Legislation Amendment Bill

    Written submission to Parliament’s select committee. Submission lodged

  • Government2010

    Methyl bromide reassessment

    Submission and evidence to ERMA at its Picton hearing on log fumigation at the port. Submission heard

  • Environment Court1995

    Fast-ferry wash in Queen Charlotte Sound

    Sought an injunction to slow the fast ferries, with support from DOC and Te Ātiawa. The court declined; council speed bylaws followed later. Injunction declined

Earlier entries come from the Guardians’ own records on the previous website. See the archive of past posts.