Hastings District Council confirms prosecution notice issued by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Hastings District Council confirms that the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has today issued a prosecution against it under the Resource Management Act for a technical breach of its Resource Consent conditions for taking water from Brookvale Bores No.1 and No.2. Council is taking advice in relation to this matter.

Mayor Lawrence Yule said: “It is disappointing with the Government Inquiry about to start that the Regional Council has pre-empted that process by taking this prosecution action. Hastings District Council believes it is for the Inquiry to determine the causes of the contamination event.”

“The Regional Council seems to have reached its own conclusions based on evidence yet to be tested,” said Mayor Yule. “Our own investigations indicate a number of possible causes other than the bores themselves which the Inquiry will investigate further.”

“We note the first court appearance set down for 28th is the same day as start of Inquiry Hearings,” said Mayor Yule. “It is of concern that this prosecution action is already interfering with our ability to respond to the Inquiry.”

“We also note that Regional Council in monitoring of consent conditions consistently reported that the condition in question had been complied with” said Mayor Yule.
ENDS

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