27 Mar 2014

Anti-drilling sign can stay up

4:35 pm on 27 March 2014

A disputed oil drilling protest sign on an island in Otago Harbour can stay up until a court case later this year.

The Otago Regional Council ordered the sign saying "No Drill" on the Quarantine Island jetty to be taken down because it regards it as advertising.

But the Saint Martin Island Community group which looks after the island appealed to the Environment Court against the council's ruling, arguing that the sign is a safety message.

The court has granted the group a stay on the council's order until the appeal is heard, meaning the sign can stay for now.

The court says it is likely to hear the case in late May.

The sign that has now been taken down.

The sign that has now been taken down. Photo: SUPPLIED