Fish Farm Opportunities Slipping in Hauraki

Hauraki District Mayor John Tregidga has called on Environment Waikato to speed up its bureaucratic processes before the region misses out on fish farming opportunities, writes Jeff Neems for the WaikatoTimes.

According to the news agency the Hauraki Gulf and Firth of Thames have been identified as having good potential for finfish farming and other aquaculture ventures, but Mr Tregidga said he was disappointed by the regional council's slow progress on a plan change which would allow potential aquaculture operators to apply for resource consents.

"It's been going on for more than two years. It seems to have taken far too long ... when this many parties are keen for it to progress."

He said a series of reports on the aquaculture industry had taken "some time" to be produced, although he acknowledged there were environmental concerns. "My real argument here is that those issues should be addressed at the consent process and the industry, along with Government - and through our economic development committee - is happy to meet those costs."