Driftwood Structures under Scrutiny

 

It may be art, but is it legal?

Controversial driftwood sculptures that have been erected on the Riverton foreshore in recent weeks are not only stimulating discussion in the local community, they have led to four complaints to Environment Southland by people who see them as an eyesore.

The Council’s Compliance Manager, Mark Hunter, said that regardless of whether the pieces were intended as artwork, they were considered “structures” under the Resource Management Act, and needed a resource consent because they were in the coastal marine area.

“These are not flimsy pieces of wood that will wash away in the next high tide like a sandcastle – they are fairly substantial structures. It took a chainsaw to remove one of them,” Mr Hunter said.

“We don’t take sides in this kind of issue. We have received four complaints about the driftwood structures and we are investigating them in the same way that we investigate every complaint.” 

Mr Hunter said he had spoken to the man understood to be responsible for erecting the driftwood structures and advised him to apply for a resource consent before he contemplated putting up any more in the estuary.