Consent needed for leaving Rena on reef

Any decision to leave the remaining structure of the Rena on Astrolabe Reef requires a full resource consent process, Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Chief Executive Mary-Anne Macleod said.

No consent application has yet been made.

Recent announcements about the ultimate fate of the remaining Rena structure have raised questions about the process that would be followed if the owners applied for a consent to leave the wreck and any debris on the reef.

Regional Council Chief Executive Mary-Anne Macleod said a "full and robust" statutory process would be followed if a consent application was lodged for any part of the Rena to remain on Astrolabe Reef. 

"Under the provisions of the Regional Council's Coastal Plan, a resource consent is required for any structure to occupy the seabed. A full and robust statutory process would be followed in accordance with the requirements of the Resource Management Act," she said.

Any consent application for leaving the structure on the reef would be publicly notified to give the public every opportunity to express any concerns through this statutory process.

If a consent application is made in the future, the Regional Council would engage the best available scientific and technical advice to ensure an informed decision could be made, Ms Macleod said.