The National Environment Service (NES) announces it has received three new EIA Permit Applications for public consultation.
NES provides environmental sign off on projects that may have an impact on the environment (Tiers 1, 2 & 3). This particular EIA Permit Application falls under a Tier 3 category, which is an activity that is likely to cause significant environmental impact.
All applications that fall under a Tier 3 category must provide an EIA report.
According to the Environment Act 2003, NES is to undertake a public consultation process for all EIA Permit Applications in the form of publishing details of the project and making it accessible to the public.
- Applicant: Mr. Micheal Connal
Application: Tikioki Property Coastal Protection
The purpose of the project is to protect the vulnerable foreshore by constructing a rock revetment wall at a total length of 18 metre long by 3 metre high using volcanic basalt rock boulders. The proposed location is at the foreshore property of Michael Connal of Tikioki along the eastern, southern and western side of Rarotonga.
2. Applicant: Mr. Ngatupuna Rere
Application: Construction of a Dwelling House, Takuvaine
Land: Matiekura Part Section 110, Takuvaine.
The proposed location is within the Takuvaine wetland area near Tauae Store.
3. Applicant: Teariki Taia Short
Application: Vaimaanga Property Coastal Protection
The purpose of this project is to protect the vulnerable foreshore by constructing a rock revetment wall that comprises of a length of 18 metre by 3 metre high using volcanic basalt rock boulders for the Vaimaanga property. The property suffered significant coastal damage during the July 2022 high seas event, and with the intermittent wave-swell warnings, further increases the need to protect the property from further coastal impacts.
The three EIA Reports entails the stages, emergency and infrastructure requirements. The management of impacts is provided on key areas that include land, waste, erosion control, hazards and risks. The EIA Permit Application has an Environment Management Plan section that outlines the measures planned to mitigate any environmental impact.
Vavia Tangatataia, NES Manager of Environmental Compliance stated “As part of NES’s new communication strategy, we are pleased to provide information about our EIA applications through multiple media channels to have a good outreach to our community. It is important that the public is consulted and engaged in this process to meet our mandated obligations and conduct our respective roles to protect our environment. I encourage any member of the public to reach out if you have any questions.”
The EIA Reports is available on the NES website and is available for any member of the public to access here.
A hard copy is also available at the NES office. Other notifications of the EIA will be made via NES’s Facebook page, e-newsletter and a public notice on print media. Members of the public who wish to make a submission for or against this EIA Permit Application can do so by writing to NES by 19th February 2024.
We welcome submissions in either Cook Islands Maori or English. The submission can be sent via email to nes@cookislands.gov.ck or delivered to the NES office in Tupapa.
