The matter was heard in November and the parties debating the landscape value of the area reached agreement at that time with the Central Otago District Council. The council agreed to change the district plan to recognise the whole of the valley as an outstanding landscape rather than part of it being defined as ''outstanding'' and part classified as a ''significant amenity landscape''.
In a written decision made public this week, Judge Jon Jackson confirmed the agreement and said the court directed the council to amend its plan change. The outstanding landscape now referred to ''the catchment of the upper and lower Nevis Valley, to the confluence with the Kawarau River''. The area included the valley floor, the westerly slopes of the Old Woman and Garvie Ranges and the east-facingslopes of the Hector and Remarkable Ranges. Judge Jackson said the order was made by consent, as all parties agreed. The appeal was brought by the New Zealand and Otago Fish and Game Councils and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
Parties included Pioneer Generation Ltd, the Central Otago Environmental Society, John Douglas, the Otago Regional Council, Matthew Sole and the Otago Conservation Board.
As there was some crossover of evidence, the case was heard at the same time as an application to amend the water conservation order on the Nevis River. Environment Court hearing manager Joanne Taylor said a decision on that matter was likely to be announced within the next couple of months.
