News Release

5 December 2012

Mayor urges Aucklanders to stay safe

The Mayor urges Aucklanders to stay safe in the heavy weather that has hit Auckland, after a tornado in Hobsonville and heavy rain and surface flooding in West Auckland.

Auckland Civil Defence is working with emergency services, and closely monitoring the situation in West Auckland where there are reports of fatalities and roof damage following a tornado around lunchtime.

Police have set up an operational base at Whenuapai near where the worst of the damage is reported.

Metservice warns there is the likelihood of more tornados may be experienced in the next few hours.

The Mayor says people should stay inside if possible, or if driving, take great care.

Ends

© Scoop Media

Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>