Latest news with #EnvironmentCourt
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Residents win battle to make noise complaints about army rifle range
West Melton residents have won a four-year battle to retain the right to lodge noise complaints about the army rifle range on the outskirts of the township. The Environment Court has ruled people will still be able to complain, but a covenant will be put in place for new residents, noting they are within a designated noise boundary. The New Zealand Defence Force will also have to prepare a noise management plan for the 422ha West Melton Rifle Range, which it has operated since the 1940s. In a bid to protect the range from complaints, NZDF had tried to get the no-complaints covenant added at the District Plan review in 2021, but it was rejected by the Selwyn District Council. NZDF appealed the district council's decision in 2023, with a hearing held in February. Rein in the Range co-founder and nearby resident Jerry Larason, who presented at the hearing, welcomed the requirement for a noise plan. 'The noise management plan was something we asked for a long time ago,' he said. Larason was still concerned the covenants for new residents would affect the resale values of properties. 'It is going to be a line on a deed . . . I still think it will raise eyebrows.' Rein in the Range was formed in 2009 after a blast wave from the range damaged homes and distressed animals. The group, which represents about 300 residents, aims to maintain open communication with the NZDF, rather than shut the range down. In their decision, Judge Prudence Steven and commissioners James Baines and Kate Wilkinson sided with the district council and residents. 'We agree that the ability to make complaints, and for those to be investigated and acted upon when that response is justified, ought not to be curtailed,' they said. The panel also confirmed the covenant would not prevent future complaints. Nearby resident Alastair Nicol was pleased complaints could still be made. 'We knew it wasn't going to fly,' he said. The noise management plan will outline how the NZDF will engage with the community, respond to complaints about unreasonable noise, and ensure the range continues operating within acceptable limits. NZDF will be required to consult with residents within the noise boundary and have the plan approved by the district council.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Minister keeping eye on consent application
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says she is "keeping a watching brief" as the application for treated wastewater being discharged directly into the Shotover River makes its way to the Environment Court. And Otago Fish & Game Council chief executive Ian Hadland says the council is confident authorities will handle the situation to safeguard the catchment's outstanding values, including water quality, fisheries and amenity values such as swimming. The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) began using emergency powers to discharge treated wastewater into the river — in order to bypass failing disposal fields at its Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant — on March 31. Ms Simmonds said she was "aware of concerns" raised about the QLDC decision. "I understand that this is an interim approach while QLDC completes necessary upgrades to its wastewater treatment system," she said. "The need for upgrades to the system was acknowledged by QLDC in its evidence and considered by the panel in its recommendations on Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Variation." Because the Otago Regional Council granted the QLDC request for its retrospective consent applications for the emergency discharge to be referred directly to the Environment Court she did not have further comment at present. "However, I am keeping a watching brief on the situation." Mr Hadland said the resource consent application was for a "temporary solution" for the Shotover wastewater treatment plant's issues. "We are pleased to see that they are referring it straight to the Environment Court and allowing the public to have a say, because there is high interest in this matter. "We will review the application at that point and consider a submission on behalf of our angling and hunting licence holders." The Kawarau River and its tributaries, which include the Shotover, were protected by a Water Conservation Order put in place in 1997 to safeguard the catchment's outstanding values, including water quality, fisheries and amenity values such as contact recreation, he said. "We remain confident authorities will handle this situation to ensure the provisions of the Water Conservation Order are upheld." Mr Hadland said Otago Fish & Game supported enforcement action taken by the regional council for QLDC consent breaches. "We recognise this is a complex legacy issue and the potential remedies are costly. "We're hoping the QLDC moves quickly on to finding a more permanent solution." Otago Fish & Game was at the forefront of litigation which secured the Water Conservation Order to protect the Kawarau River and its tributaries, he said.— APL
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Auckland councillors agree on desired helicopter saga outcome - but not how to get there
Waitematā and Gulf Ward councillor Mike Lee has filed two motions of notice calling for the prohibition of private helicopters in residential neighbourhoods. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly A motion to block helicopters from Auckland's residential areas has become ensnared in a web of bureaucracy. Councillors gathered on Thursday to discuss Waitematā and Gulf Ward councillor Mike Lee's two motions of notice calling for the prohibition of private helicopters in residential neighbourhoods. It comes after Auckland rich-listers Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams were approved to build a helipad at their Westmere home , a decision now being challenged in the Environment Court . Councillor Lee's first motion urged the council to change the city's Unitary Plan to make private helipads in residential areas a prohibited activity city-wide. The second motion called for the same change, but only for the Hauraki Gulf Islands section of the council's District Plan. The second motion was passed by the council, though it would still need to be approved by the central government. However, the motion to change Auckland's Unitary Plan proved to be much more complicated. Council advisory staff said a city-wide ban would be too difficult to implement. It would require the council to seek permission from the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop, a request many councillors believed he would decline. Councillor Richard Hills, chairing the meeting, instead proposed an amendment to Lee's motion requesting the council seek a declaration from the Environment Court to strengthen its case before approaching the Minister. "What I'm trying to do here is give us a chance," he told councillors. "You can bet when we have to go and beg to the minister to put through a plan change ... If we said we don't have staff backing and we don't think we have experts, there is no way the minister would say yes to that." Councillor Richard Hills proposed an amendment to one of the motions. Photo: Alexia Russell Councillor Lee described the amendment as an ambush. "There have been ample breaks in this meeting today and this obviously didn't fall out of the air, I would have appreciated the courtesy of some consultation," Lee said. "This outcome-by-ambush approach with no forewarning whatsoever is not going to help the reputation of the council." Speaking after the meeting, Hills said he felt proceeding without the amendment would have only led to disappointment. "We would be giving false hope to people if we went ahead, against advice, over a two year period and spent millions of dollars for an outcome that everything points to we wouldn't have had," he said. "It might make us feel good in the moment, but actually we have to try and get the best, clearest, strongest [outcome] as quick as possible." Councillor Shane Henderson said he voted in favour of the amendment because it was more likely to be approved by the minister. "We were kind of worried it would fail at the end of the day and we would be in a very difficult position," he said. "So we wanted to get something that was more practical and workable over the line." Lee disagreed with the others councillors' assertion that the minister would block the change. "The minister's intention is to stop councils spending a fortune on 10-year reviews of their district and regional plans, I don't think the minister would attempt to block plan changes which correct or modify the existing plan." He believed prohibiting helipads in residential areas was an obvious move and would bring Auckland more in line with its international counterparts. "Internationally, Auckland is an outlier. Just about all the major international cities strictly control or prohibit private use of helipads in residential areas." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Auckland councillors ask for guidance from Environment Court on helicopter ban
transport politics 22 minutes ago After hours of discussion, Auckland Councillors have not voted on banning helicopters in residential areas, and instead supported an amendment that asks for guidance from the Environment Court. The original motion was put forward by Councillor Mike Lee - who said it was an ambush that his motion was not voted on. It comes after news this week that Auckland rich-listers Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams' approval to build a helipad at their Westmere home will be challenged at the Environment Court. Jessica Hopkins reports.
NZ Herald
23-07-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Rotorua councillors debate wastewater discharge plans
The vote was divided into two sections, with the criteria and values of a working group to consider as well as the weighting of those values. Lee labelled the process 'overly complex and complicated' and any working group a 'recipe for disaster'. He suggested a simple solution existed, which was to drain treated wastewater into Puarenga Stream. He said this would be the 'cheapest solution' for ratepayers. Councillor Gregg Brown said that would be a 'pretty quick' way to end up in the Environment Court. Councillor Don Paterson then suggested the people of Ngapuna would be 'lighting torches and coming with pitchforks' should that be the plan. Councillor Don Paterson. Photo / Laura Smith Councillor Conan O'Brien insisted a complete consensus on the issue was unlikely, before Mayor Tania Tapsell emphasised a need to go 'above and beyond' to ensure all wastewater decision-making was made in the public eye. Councillor Lani Kereopa also expressed her concerns about the plan putting costs ahead of mana whenua engagement. She and Lee both voted against the criteria and values. Councillors were asked to vote on how to prioritise the outcomes the working group should focus on. One option gave more weight to financial and practical concerns, assigning 35% each to total lifecycle cost and implementation risk, while giving just 10% each to relationships with mana whenua, community acceptance and environmental outcomes. The alternative was to treat all five areas equally at 20% each. Most councillors supported the first option with the heavier weighting on cost and risk. However, Kereopa, Paterson and Trevor Maxwell voted against it, raising concerns that mana whenua engagement was being undervalued. Lee abstained. There was more heated debate as councillors confirmed the Water Services Delivery Plan. Puarenga Stream. Photo / Ben Fraser The plan, required by the Government's Local Water Done Well legislation, stated Rotorua would continue managing water services in-house until at least 2028. Meanwhile, the council would explore forming a joint water services organisation with neighbouring councils, then make a final service delivery model decision in 2027. Lee signalled an intention to abstain from voting, saying he was sceptical of the ability of a council-controlled organisation to deliver and of some wording around te ao Māori and mana whenua. He highlighted a recent agreement with Ngāti Kearoa-Ngāti Tuara over Karamū Tākina Springs, which supply 60% of the city's drinking water, saying it meant rates rises for constituents. Councillor Gregg Brown. Photo / Andrew Warner Despite their concerns about changes being forced upon them by central government, Lee's abstention was rebuked by Brown and O'Brien. 'For a mayoral candidate to sit on the fence is not great fella,' said Brown. 'Abstain? Come on. You've got all the information make a decision.' 'I won't be abstaining despite my concerns,' said O'Brien. 'Because I am here to make decisions. I believe that is why people put me here. Not just to blab, continue on and sit on the fence and not make a decision or follow principles.' Lee suggested abstaining was one of three voting options, along with yes and no. Tapsell said his voting options were yes or no and that abstaining was considered a non-vote. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell. Photo / Laura Smith The mayor praised council staff for putting together a 'strategic document', which gave the council time and opportunity to decrease costs and ensure they make the right long-term decision. She then called out Lee for what she described as his 'continuing bashing of Māori and iwi'. Tapsell suggested the Karamū Tākina Springs agreement potentially saved a sum approaching $100 million. Lee's attempt to raise a point of order in response was shot down by Tapsell, who gave him one more chance to 'please be quiet' to allow the meeting to continue. The motion then carried, with Lee abstaining and Paterson voting against – believing it was unfair Rotorua be treated the same as other areas with poorer performing water systems. Tapsell and Lee previously confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting they would run for mayor in the October election. Mathew Nash is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based at the Rotorua Daily Post. He has previously written for SunLive, been a regular contributor to RNZ and was a football reporter in the UK for eight years. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
