Environment Court releases interim plan decision

An interim decision on the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan has been received from the Environment Court.

Judge Borthwick and Commissioner Dunlop provided their decision on Topic B, which largely focused on the rules around farming, including intensive winter grazing, and water management, following hearings on these topics.

Environment Southland chief executive Wilma Falconer said staff and the appeals team are carefully considering the decision to determine what it means for the Council and the community. Any comment on the contents of the decision will be made once this assessment is complete.

Appeals to the proposed plan were split into topics, with an interim decision on Topic A (policies and objectives) issued in late 2019.

Final decisions on the plan will not be made until the remainder of the appeal topics have been heard. Further hearing dates have been set for April to progress appeals on the Manapōuri Hydroelectric Power Scheme; appeals on certain groundwater takes are yet to be scheduled.

The court’s decision can be read here: http://www.nzlii.org/nz/cases/NZEnvC/2022/265.html

All information and documents relating to the appeals are available here – www.es.govt.nz/waterandland.