Dunedin's port has been given approval to deepen Otago Harbour to take larger ships.
A group of independent commissioners has given Port Otago resource consent to dredge down to 15 metres deep during the next 20 years.
Port Otago appears to have got everything it wants in the decision, which means it can prepare for the next generation of container ships likely to call at Dunedin's main export facility.
Chief executive Geoff Plunket says he is delighted with the decision, as it gives the port certainty and it can meet the needs of shipping companies in the years ahead.
There were almost 200 submissions about the dredging proposal, with about three-quarters opposed.
The commissioners largely rejected their concerns, but say some of the conditions they are imposing came from the community.
Mr Plunket says Port Otago is not special in needing deeper lanes because every other major export facility is having to do the same work to cope with larger ships.
He says he expects the new resource consents to be appealed against by unhappy local residents or fishing groups.
The port has five years to begin the dredging.
