Rena claim not going to Environment Court

The Rena owner, insurer and project team have decided not to proceed with direct referral to the Environment Court of the application for resource consent to leave what remains of the Rena on Astrolabe reef.

The decision came after their visit to Tauranga last month.

Instead the application will be heard by independent commissioners appointed by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which is likely to take place in Tauranga in the first half of 2015.

The decision follows a review of the Council's technical report, which outlined a number of conditions for consideration should consent be granted.

Captain John Owen of The Swedish Club said, "The current operation to remove cargo and other remaining debris that spilled on to the Reef when the vessel broke apart and sank is expected to go a long way to addressing many of the concerns raised by submitters, and in the Council report.

"Also, a number of submitters have expressed a view that going directly to court would limit the opportunity to have their say. The submissions highlight that the issues now remaining are matters for the local community, and it is appropriate that they are dealt with at the Council level," he said.