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EDS welcomes decision relating to dairy conversions
EDS welcomes High Court decision relating to dairy
conversions at Simons Pass Station in the Mackenzie
Basin
EDS welcomes the High Court decision upholding declarations made by the Environment Court that resource consents for agricultural conversion (including irrigation) at Simons Pass Station are a discretionary activity.
Simons Pass Station was unsuccessful in its appeal that the decision was an error in law.
“Yesterday the High Court confirmed that the consents for Simons Pass Station will need to be assessed as full discretionary activity,” said EDS CEO Gary Taylor.
“That outcome is entirely consistent with the EDS view of the law.
“It means that
Mackenzie District Council has discretion to refuse the
consent.
“The application, which has been on hold
pending the outcome of these proceedings, should now be
notified for public submissions. It is appropriate that the
public has a say given the outstanding landscape and
ecological values present on the property.
“The outcome of the decision, taken together with the more stringent rules on landscape protection introduced by Plan Change 13, mean it is highly unlikely that consents for further irrigation in the Basin will be granted.
“Subject to the final outcome of the Simons Pass consents, in our view this marks the end of dairy conversions in the Mackenzie Country,” said Mr Taylor.
EDS was represented in the
High Court by Barrister Rob Enright and EDS solicitor
Cordelia Woodhouse.
High Court decision
is available
here
Environment Court decision is available here.
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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