Federated Farmers and The Wolds Station have appealed the Environment Court Decision on Mackenzie District Plan Change 13. The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) is joining the High Court proceedings, and will vigorously defend the decision. EDS is seeking funding support for their case. Please make a donation.
The principle of grandparenting to drive regulation has been used by the Canterbury Regional Council and has now been notified by the Waikato Regional Council……. And we don’t have to look any further than Canterbury to see the evidence over five years with their regional council adopting a grandparenting type approach as the starting point to drive regulation. What once were swimmable rivers have deteriorated and one of the main contributors is N contamination.
The Mackenzie District Council has been defending PC13 since 2007. It has been subject to 11 court decisions and cost the council more than $1.2 million.
Mayor Graham Smith said Mackenzie ratepayers were starting to lose patience with some of the “demands” from those opposed to the plan.
“It’s very disappointing,” he said.
Federated Farmers has filed a High Court appeal against a recent Environment Court decision that put in place protection for the Mackenzie Country’s outstanding landscape and natural values.
“EDS will be joining these proceedings shortly and will vigorously defend the Environment Court’s decision against Federated Farmers and press for an early hearing. “We are seeking funding support for our case,” Mr Taylor concluded.
The problem is urgent. DOC’s budget needs an extra $100 million. Help make 25 May Budget Day MayDay4DOC.
A photo sent in by Neil Sparks who confronted a group of German freedom campers after they lit a fire at The Pines on the shores of Lake Pukaki six metres away from a “light no fire” zone.
Professor Gerry Closs specialises in freshwater fish – and he says their populations are suffering. Photo: RNZ/Kate Gudsell
He said losing biodiversity made it more difficult for streams to process pollution, and a new pattern of decline was starting to emerge.
Dr Jan Wright is approaching the end of a decade-long stint as the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. As Newsroom’s watchdog series continues, she explains why a Government Minister’s admission could be her sweetest moment yet.
OPINION: Sometimes the best thing to do is to just stop doing something bad. Last week’s Environment Court decision says there’s a strong case to stop free holding the South Island high country. The new Minister of Lands, Mark Mitchell, and the acting Commissioner of Crown Lands, Craig Harris, would do well to listen.
