The harbour basin development proposes a mix of cafes, bars and apartments, which has angered industrial and commercial businesses in the area.
Following a nine-day hearing in July and August last year, the council in mid-February approved the district plan change from industrial and port zones to a new harbourside zone, subject to any appeals which had to be lodged by today.
Chamber chief executive John Christie said that while he hoped the appeal would not have go to a full Environment Court hearing, "we are in position to take it there if we have to".
"This is too important to the city. Jobs are at stake and, at a time like this, we can't afford to lose any more jobs," he said.
An Environment Court spokesman confirmed yesterday seven appeals had been lodged against the plan change, from the Chamber of Commerce, Otago Regional Council, Farra Engineering, Crawford Glass, Arthur Barnett Properties, Bradken Resources and Kaans Catering.
"We are unhappy with the consultation. We need a substantial debate to have the rezoning implications explained," Mr Christie said.
Some businesses had threatened to leave the area, but he was also aware of landowners who had already sold up because of the "risk involved with long-term planning and rezoning".
He claimed the majority of about 40 businesses owners called to a chamber meeting, of a total of more than 100 operating in the area bounded by Thomas Burns, Mason, Birch, French and Buller Sts, were unaware of the rezoning details.
The council has earmarked but deferred about $10 million towards the project, to be spent by 2014.
Council chief executive Jim Harland has said in the past the harbourside development was a "50-year vision", not likely to go ahead soon because of the present financial climate and businesses had "existing rights" to land use.
However, Mr Christie said now was the time to define the rezoning issues, noting that existing rights in other developments put businesses under pressure to change as new neighbours moved in.
Mr Harland said when contacted in Auckland yesterday he was unaware if the seven appeals were "substantive or negotiable" and declined to comment until he saw details.
He said it was normal practice to talk to affected parties to determine if a settlement could be reached.
However, the appeals would have to contain new evidence not seen by the commissioners, such as evidence of Mr Christie's job loss claims, before looking at the rezoning framework.
Mr Christie said it was unfortunate the chamber was opposing the council, noting he supported the general harbourside development, but not if businesses were "forced out, closed or moved to other northern centres".
The regional council appeal against the district plan harbourside development relates to its proposal to build a headquarters on the corner of Birch and Kitchener Sts and it wants its site included in the overall harbourside plan.
The regional council said its site was "now bare land and ripe for development" and three sets of provisions were "an impediment" to site development.
