The Stewart Island residents who opposed the approval of an oil drilling operation on the island last week are concerned the company could be given approval to drill at a second site.
This comes after it was revealed Auckland-based Greymouth Petroleum Ltd lodged an application with the Southland District Council to drill at a second site near the island's golf course. This application is on hold after the council asked for more information.
The council last week granted the company consent to carry out petroleum exploration, and to drill a well site on private land in Horseshoe Bay Rd. The non-notified resource consent, which allows for 24-hour drilling operations, temporary buildings and minor earthworks, angered some residents, who say they were shut out of decision-making.
Stewart Island resident Dr Britt Moore, who is organising opposition to drilling on the island, said she was concerned the public would be shut out of the second application.
She said if drilling was approved at a second site, it would further tarnish Stewart Island and New Zealand's clean green image, on which tourism depended.
"It's the most picturesque spot in the whole village and there are houses all around it."
She said a "significant" level of opposition among the island's residents had been shown by the fact more than 50 people on Saturday afternoon signed a petition against drilling.
They wanted public notification for future drilling applications - including Greymouth Petroleum Ltd's second application.
Southland District Council senior resource management planner Jennifer Green confirmed a second application had been made to drill at a site in Wohlers Rd, which backs on to the island's golf course.
The council requested more information, including the effect transporting heavy machinery to the site would have on council infrastructure, the fact not all adjacent property-owners had consented to the activity and issues over restoring the site after drilling, Ms Green said.
Because it was on hold, no decision had been made on whether the public would be notified about the application.
A Greymouth Petroleum Ltd spokeswoman said the company did not want to comment on whether it would proceed with the second application.
Southland district councillor Bruce Ford said many island residents supported the first drilling application as it brought employment and an injection of cash into the local economy during the winter months, when few tourists visited.
He said he did not know enough about the second application to comment.
