Resource consents hearing 'complex' - judge

"I don't think I have struck anything quite so complex with so many twists and turns," was how former Environment Court judge Peter Skelton described an Environment Canterbury resource consents hearing which concluded in Oamaru yesterday.

Prof Skelton is chairman of the three-commissioner panel which is considering applications to use water from the lower Waitaki River.

Even yesterday, modifications were being made to applications as a result of evidence presented by applicants and submitters during the hearing.

Prof Skelton has now adjourned the hearing sine die upon 21 days notice. Any decision on the application is unlikely before the end of the year.

The hearing considered 56 applications to take and use water from the Hakataramea catchment and the lower Waitaki River between the Waitaki dam and sea, including tributaries.

It has lasted 19 days spread over an eight-week period.

Last year in Timaru, the same panel heard applications from Meridian Energy Ltd for a $900 million power scheme between the Waitaki dam and Stonewall, and a joint venture with the South Canterbury Irrigation Trust for the $200 million, 40,000ha Hunter Downs irrigation scheme in the Waimate district.

 

 

Add a Comment