14 March 2006

Political support welcomed

"The strong political support the Whangamata Marina Society is receiving for legislation to reinstate the Environment Court's ruling is much appreciated," Society President Mick Kelly said today.

"We have now been assured of support from the National Party, United Future and Act and we are meeting tomorrow in Wellington with New Zealand First to see if they would be prepared to back the bill, at least to select committee," Mr Kelly said.

The Whangamata Marina Society's bill, which is being sponsored by National MP Nick Smith, makes the Environment Court the final arbiter for resource consents relating to coastal activities, effective from 26 October last year when the Court granted planning consent for the marina.

It will now go into the ballot. Dr Smith sought priority for the bill today but leave was denied by the Government. Parliament did, however, have a snap debate on the marina issue on the application of both National and United Future which shows that it is a matter of national interest.

"We believe there are important issues at stake here and that the law is brought into disrepute when a Minister intervenes at the completion of an expensive legal process to overturn a court decision," Mr Kelly said.

ENDS

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