August 12, 2020
Mussell farms not so golden for bay locals
A South Island environmental group says its opposition to mussel farms at Golden Bay is falling on deaf ears.
Spokesperson Rod Barker says the Marine Farming Impacts Group want to tighter controls, including a ban on early morning activities.
It's asking for a a maximum working day of 7:30am to 7:30pm, a register for commercial vessels operating from Port Tarakohe, council monitoring of industry waste, a review of farming consent conditions and harsher penalties for noise and waste.
He says council sided with mussel farmers over the community.
"It seems to be leaning towards enabling the industry and ignoring what the community wants so they are kind of telling us what we should have rather than asking us what we want here," Mr Barker says.
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