BP has welcomed the decision, which was backed by both Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington regional council. But residents say the consents are “sad for the harbour”.
Last month’s hearing covered every aspect of the project, from fire hazards to noise concerns to worries about the Petone aquifer beneath the site.
The three hearing commissioners overwhelmingly agreed with BP’s evidence.
Any adverse effects from discharges to the stormwater system would be “no more than minor” because of BP’s measures to stop fuel contaminating such water, the commissioners said.
Concerns about noise, traffic, ongoing construction and other forms of contamination could also be mitigated, they concluded.
The terminal was appropriate for an industrial area and would be “in the wider regional interest in terms of supplying fuel”.
BP spokeswoman Diana Stretch said the company would tender for the work immediately. “Obviously we’re extremely pleased that consents have been granted and we’re looking forward to moving to the next stage of the process.”
There would always be opposition from residents to such a plan, but BP had tried hard to listen to local concerns, she said.
Terminal opponent Ewen McCann, who lives in nearby Nikau Rd, said he was disappointed.
He thought economic considerations had won out over environmental ones. “I think the commissioners have failed to do their job.”
It was undeniable that BP could still discharge potentially contaminated water, he said. “I think it’s sad for the harbour.”
Seaview Marina manager Alan McLellan said he was heartened by the commissioners’ confidence in BP’s equipment.
But the boats in his marina were worth up to $12 million and could be badly damaged by a discharge, he said.
“It’s really just that worry about what happens if there’s a malfunction.”
If approved, construction on the terminal could begin by early next year and take 15 years to build over three stages.
The first stage is expected to cost between $20 million and $25m.
The terminal will be able to store more than 50 million litres. BP says the tanks won’t rupture even in a 1-in-500-year quake.
However, 24,600 litres from a pipeline spill could enter the harbour after a fire or other emergency.