Judicial review sought by horticulture and farmers

Source: Horticulture NZ

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Six organisations representing horticulture growers and farmers in the Waikato today filed an application in the Hamilton High Court for a judicial review regarding a decision made by the Waikato Regional Council (WRC) over the Waikato River clean-up.

The group is seeking a judicial review of the decision by the WRC to withdraw part of the Proposed Waikato Regional Plan Change 1 - Waikato and River Catchments to the Waikato Regional Plan, announced on 5 December. The WRC advised in that announcement that the area had been withdrawn to allow for consultation with Hauraki iwi.

Organisations seeking the judicial review are Horticulture New Zealand, Federated Farmers, Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association, Waikato and Waipa branches of the New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association, Primary Land Users Group, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

The action has been taken as the group believes that in making this decision, the WRC has failed to comply with requirements of the Resource Management Act (RMA) to ensure integrated management of the natural and physical resources of the region and to give effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM).

The group is asking for the WRC to withdraw Proposed Plan Change 1 in its entirety to allow for consultation with Hauraki iwi before any further Proposed Plan Change is approved to be publicly notified.

"This action is about WRC’s process. The group supports the overall aims of the Healthy Rivers Plan, and its members have been active in making submissions and working with Iwi and the WRC," says Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman.

ENDS

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