Name suppression granted in discharge-to-stream case

Interim name suppression was granted to a Gore company and two individuals facing charges in relation to a discharge to the Low Burn stream near Mataura, which resulted in the death of thousands of eels in February this year.

The company faces three charges of discharging contaminants to water and the two individuals each face three charges of discharging contaminants to water.

The charges, laid in the Gore District Court on August 15, had their first hearing on Wednesday, a statement from Environment Southland said.

Judge Russell Walker remanded all defendants without plea until November 27 and granted interim name suppression for all until then.

Counsel Tim McGuigan represented Environment Southland.

Environment Southland made no further comment as the matter is before court.

Thousands of eels were found dead in the Low Burn stream near Brydone, south of Gore, in February

Hokonui Rūnanga environmental lead Riki Parata said at the time he was saddened by the deaths. — APL