Rena spill: Compo for businesses

Tauranga resident Mark Tucker with his oil covered boat The Orca Explorer. Photo / Doug Sherring

Bay of Plenty businesses could receive compensation packages from the Government in the wake of the Rena oil spill.

Prime Minister John Key said today he had discussions with Transport Minister Steven Joyce about the issue and the Minister of Social Development Paula Bennett would likely be included in further work.

The cost of the spill to livelihoods was still unknown but was largely dependant on the amount of oil spilled and where it leaked, Mr Key said.

However temporary packages were likely to take the shape of those offered to Christchurch businesses after the two major earthquakes.

"It would just depend on how long things were out of action for and who was affected."

The provisional clean-up cost was estimated at $12.1 million however there was a $3.5m oil levy available to the Government. However who paid was still an ongoing discussion.

"This is the subject of ongoing negotiations and discussions with the owners. I think it's worth mentioning that the Government isn't without legal remedy.

Those options could come through the Resource Management Act or if a case of gross negligence could be proved it would open up other opportunities to the Government.