The Environment Court in Oamaru had to adjourn briefly yesterday so extra seating could be brought in to cope with the number of people wanting to hear evidence in an appeal against a cement plant being built in the Waiareka Valley.
At the peak, about 50 people, including court staff, were at the hearing in the Empire Room of the Oamaru Opera House.
People continued to arrive after the hearing started at 10am, and eventually no seats were left.
Judge Gordon Whiting adjourned the court for about 10 minutes so extra seating could be provided.
He said it was a public hearing and it was important all those who wanted to attend could do so.
Yesterday, two Waitaha organisations - Waitaha Taiwhenua O Waitaki Trust Board and Te Runanganui O Waitaha Me Mata Waka Inc - completed evidence which they started on Thursday.
Both organisations had registered as interested parties to the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society appeal against 46 resource consents granted by the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils early last year to Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd for the cement plant, two quarries and a coal mine in the valley.
Most of those at the hearing yesterday were there to support Waitaha witnesses, who wanted the court to recognise their cultural and spiritual association with the Waiareka Valley.
