5.00pm, 31 October 2007

Media statement: Coromandel Watchdog case

We are pleased that the Court of Appeal has agreed with Auckland Regional Council (ARC) and Auckland City Council’s case that councils should be able to prohibit certain activities in their plans, if and where necessary to protect the environment.

This decision means that councils can continue to sparingly use ‘prohibited activity’ when it is an appropriate planning tool to protect sensitive environments, and to give certainty to people about where and what activities can and cannot take place. Examples in the Auckland region include applications for marine farming in sensitive coastal areas and inappropriate subdivision in the Waitakere Ranges.

The ARC was criticised for becoming involved in this case in 2005, but the court’s decision more than vindicates our intervention.

ARC Chairman, Michael Lee

ENDS

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