Toll's ferry speeds proposal rejected

Marlborough District Council has said it rejects ferry operator Toll's proposal over ferry speed in the Marlborough Sounds.

It announced the rejection when opening its case in the Environment Court yesterday.

The court is considering objections to the council's proposed Variation 3 rule, which would require large vessels wanting to sail over 15 knots (27km/h) through the sounds to apply for resource consent and meet the council's wave height criteria.

Toll had suggested a blanket 20-knot speed limit with a new wave energy rule to replace the council's wave height rule.

Council lawyer Brian Dwyer yesterday described Toll's wave energy rule as ill advised.

"It is a proposal advanced by Toll's planner, who acknowledged she has no expertise in hydro dynamics or ocean wave theory."

He said the council stood by its proposed variation, which aimed to cap the environmental effects of ferry wake.

The council also rejected Toll's suggestion for a blanket speed limit of 20 knots.

Mr Dwyer said this bypassed any assessment until new vessels were up and running, and placed all the onus back on the council.

He suggested the court issue an interim decision to determine which proposal should proceed, either the council's, Toll's or a combination of both.

The council has suggested limiting conventional ferries to 18 knots through Tory Channel and 20 knots in Queen Charlotte Sound, subject to their wave height rule.

- nzpa