A group that runs an island in Otago Harbour is fighting an order to remove an anti-oil drilling protest sign.
The sign - which says "No Drill" - was put up on Saint Martin Island, also known as Quarantine Island, in October last year.
The disputed sign on Quarantine Island in Otago Harbour. Photo: SUPPLIED
The Saint Martin Island Community said it received an abatement notice from the Otago Regional Council directing it to remove the sign because it is illegal advertising on a jetty.
The council said the sign must come down because it violates a resource consent.
Environmental services and operations director Jeff Donaldson said the group had been granted a resource consent for its jetty which clearly stated that advertising was not permitted.
Mr Donaldson said the signage promoted a cause and was an issue of principle for the council. "It is important that the visual landscape of the harbour under the Coastal Marine Plan is not polluted, if you like, with a form of advertising."
A spokesperson for group, Francine Vella, said it had lodged an appeal in the Environment Court against the council's notice.
Ms Vella said it believed the sign was a prudent safety message aimed at reducing the environmental effects of petroleum exploration and the central issue for the group was free speech.
