EDS welcomes Environment Court ruling

Tuesday, 2 April 2019, 2:34 pm
Press Release: Environmental Defence Society

The Environmental Defence Society has welcomed the recent decision from the Environment Court regarding land use clearance on Simons Pass Station in the Mackenzie Country.

“The decision of the Court released yesterday means that Simons Pass now needs to apply for resource consents from Mackenzie District Council to irrigate large parts of the property. If the leaseholder goes ahead with an application it will be a discretionary consent and will need to be publicly notified,” said Mr Taylor.

“Because of the new rules to protect landscape that apply, it’s my contention that it will be very difficult for such applications to be approved.

“It could well be that Simons Pass Station declines to go ahead and much of the area will remain in pastoral farming and not be converted to dairying. That will mean most of the valued ecology will remain, so it is a good outcome for the environment.

“The next question is what will happen regarding tenure review. Notwithstanding the Government’s stated intention to stop tenure review, the property could still continue through the process and is likely to do so.

“The implications of the Court decision are that more land should go into DOC control including all of the land now protected by Mackenzie Council’s new plan provisions. Moreover, the value of that land must now be much less than if it cannot be converted to dairying.

“Overall, the decision probably means the end of dairy expansion in the Mackenzie Country, which is a very good outcome for the environment,” said Mr Taylor.

Environment Court decision is available here.

ends

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Environmental Defence Society

EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.

Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non- profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.

EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.

EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.

EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.

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