The National Environment Service is seeking public input on an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed upgrade of Atiu Harbour, which involves dredging, makatea cliff removal and concrete repair to address deterioration and safety concerns.

Te Tu’anga Taporoporo/National Environment Service (NES) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) permit application for the Atiu Harbour Upgrade project.

Atiu Harbour sits on the north-west side of the island and was constructed in 1975 with the assistance of the New Zealand Defence Force.

The EIA proposal has been prepared by Te Tango Angaanga o te Kuki Airani/Ministry of Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), and falls under a Tier 3 category, an activity that is likely to cause significant environmental impact.

NES manager environment compliance, Vavia Tangatataia, said: “This EIA application is going through the process of the 30-day public consultation (as of February 17, 2025), and we encourage people to read the report, particularly for those living on Atiu.”

“Public consultation is crucial for fulfilling our mandated obligations and safeguarding our environment. We encourage anyone with questions to reach out to us,” he added.

The Atiu Harbour Upgrade has been initiated by ICI in consultation with the Atiu Island Government and their Members of Parliament.

According to the proposal, in May 2024, ICI conducted an asset assessment on Atiu, and the harbour’s overall condition index score was 45 out of 100, indicating significant deterioration which highlighted an urgent need for repairs.

The report proposal states: “The Atiu Harbour Upgrade project is necessary to preserve the functional operation of the existing harbour and to improve safety for harbour users. If the project does not proceed the harbour infrastructure will continue to deteriorate and more work will be required in the future to repair the harbour”.

The proposal says Atiu Harbour is a critical asset for the island, serving as the primary point of entry for essential bulk goods, fuel and supplies through inter-island shipping.

Additionally, the harbour is used frequently by residents for launching their fishing boats, providing food and income for their families and supporting community initiatives.

The ICI assessment identified three primary areas in need of repair which include the wharf concrete deck and the concrete slipway where cracks and spalling in the concrete on the deck and slipway are weakening the structure, posing both functional and safety risks.

Safety is also a major concern, the southern end of the concrete deck that intersects with the slipway lacks sufficient width for safe vehicle manoeuvring, particularly when cargo is being discharged.

Atiu harbour’s depth has also been reduced due to sand and rock sedimentation, limiting the use of the island barge, particularly during low tides.

The key elements of the EIA proposal include dredging the harbour using an excavator to remove approximately 300m3 of sand, sediment and loose rock deposits from the inner harbour. Sediment control measures such as sheet piles or a sediment curtain will be installed to stop suspended solids leaving the harbour area.

Removal of part of the makatea cliff - a rock breaker or an excavator will be used to break down and remove a portion of the makatea cliff to widen the wharf hardstand by five to six metres. Around 1500m3 of rock will need to be removed and this will be utilised as construction fill.

Repair of the cracked and spalled concrete – the existing concrete hardstand and boat ramp will be demolished by an excavator, the reinforcing separated and the concrete crushed for construction fill. If required the in-situ material below the existing concrete will be levelled off with gravel. Then a new 175-millimetre-thick reinforced concrete slab will be constructed in sections. The boat ramp section will consist of a 250mm thick reinforced concrete slab with a grooved surface to provided traction.

The predicted environmental impacts are: erosion and sediment, solid waste, hazardous material, noise and vibration, air pollution and social interaction.

The EIA reports are accessible on the NES website for public viewing. Hard copies can also be obtained at the NES office (Atiu) and stores on the island. Additional notifications regarding the EIA will be posted on NES’s Facebook page, e-newsletter, and in print media.

Members of the public who wish to submit feedback on the EIA Permit Application may do so by writing to NES by March 20, 2025. Submissions are welcome in both Cook Islands Māori and English. Please send your submissions via email to nes@cookislands.gov.ck or deliver them to the NES office in Atiu.