Port-link Industrial Park update 

26 June 2024

We’re getting in touch to let you know the latest information about the Port-link Industrial Park site operations. 

The Port-link Industrial Park occupier and the landowner have filed in Court a request for the Court to make a Declaration in the correct interpretation of the District Plan – in particular, whether containers are within the definition of “building”. If they are, they are subject to the rules in the Plan that apply to “buildings”, including maximum permitted heights.

The Council asked the Court to direct that the applications for declarations should be served on the neighbouring property owners.   

The Environment Court has decided that service on those directly affected by the application should not go more widely than the Council. 

However, parties interested in the applications for declarations may ask the Court for permission to join the proceedings under s274(1) (d) and s281 of the RMA. Any person who “has an interest in the proceedings that is greater than the interest that the general public has” can apply to join as a party to proceedings and seek permission of the Court to do that now. For more information, visit the Environment Court's website.

This would need to be filed and served with the Environment Court as soon as possible noting that evidence is starting to be provided and is due by Friday 5 July 2024. 

Please note the sole issue in this Declaration case is the legal interpretation question of whether stacked containers are in the definition of “building” in the District Plan. Other concerns – such as noise, lights, hours of operation, vibrations, or the Council’s enforcement practices – are not considered in this case.

A copy of the Environment Court’s decision is available here. 

Get in touch and stay updated

Our compliance staff are responding to complaints and answering queries.

If you have an urgent complaint about operations on the site, such as noise, please phone 941 8999.

If you have any questions about the Resource Consent process, please contact Mark Stevenson, Head of Planning and Consents: mark.stevenson@ccc.govt.nz or 941 5583.

If you know anyone who's interested in receiving these updates, they can sign up here.