Ravensdown is revisiting plans to unload ships around the clock at its Ravensbourne fertiliser manufacturing plant.
About 20 ships visit annually, delivering rock phosphate and other raw materials which are unloaded by Ravensdown staff and contractors.
The company's Otago Regional Council shipping resource consents require unloading to take place between 7am and 11pm, but environment manager Tamsyn Dawson said Ravensdown was preparing applications to renew its consents and wanted to extend unloading to 24 hours a day.
A similar proposal was put forward 10 years ago and a trial 24-hour unloading carried out, but it was decided at that time applying to amend the consent was not necessary. The proposal was being revisited because the consent was due to expire next year, she said yesterday.
A trial 24-hour unloading was expected on Saturday or Sunday, subject to satisfactory weather for unloading and monitoring noise and lighting levels.
Flyers were distributed to about 1400 households on both sides of the harbour, asking residents to contact Ms Dawson or the Dunedin City Council if they noticed unacceptable noise or other effects.
Ms Dawson said the company was aware sound could carry to Ravensbourne and Maia homes or across the harbour to Macandrew Bay and the Cove.
Noise levels during the trial would be monitored by a consulting company. Trial results would be reviewed by the Ravensbourne Community Liaison Group, the Coastal Processes Working Party, the city council, ORC and Port Otago and would be included in the consents application.
