The next round in the battle over whether damming should be prohibited on the Nevis River will be played out in the Environment Court, starting next month.
Three weeks has been allowed for the court sitting in Queenstown, starting on October 23, to hear evidence on two different cases, both relating to the Nevis.
Earlier this year, Environment Court Judge Jon Jackson said because there would be some "cross-over" of evidence in the two matters, they could be heard at the same time.
One case revolves around whether a conservation order on the Nevis River should be amended to prohibit any hydro-electric dam on the river.
The debate began in 2006 when the New Zealand and Otago Fish and Game Councils applied for the amendment. The application attracted more than 240 submissions and was heard in 2009-10 by a special tribunal appointed by the Ministry for the Environment.
The tribunal decided the conservation order should be changed to prohibit damming and diversion, to protect a native fish, Gollum galaxiid, a species found only in the Nevis River.
Its finding was challenged by three parties - Pioneer Generation, the Fish and Game councils and recreational kayaking group Whitewater New Zealand.
Pioneer had been considering options for a hydro-electric scheme on the Nevis and the councils wanted the river's wild and scenic landscape values and trout fishery values to be recognised as "outstanding".
Whitewater New Zealand wanted a prohibition on dams to protect the "nationally outstanding whitewater kayaking amenity" provided by the river.
Because of those three submissions, the Environment Court will now hold an inquiry into the matter and provide a report and recommendation to the Minister for the Environment, Amy Adams.
Sixteen groups or individuals are involved as parties to the case.
The second case before the court next month relating to the Nevis is an appeal against Central Otago District Plan Change 5.
The appellants are the Otago Fish and Game Council and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
The case focuses on the landscape and heritage values of the Nevis Valley.
The district council introduced 23 changes to its district plan last year, most aimed at greater protection against development of rural land. Among the changes, the council introduced a three-tier classification of rural landscapes, defining areas as either an "outstanding natural landscape", a "significant amenity landscape" or "other rural landscape".
Fish and Game wants the Nevis Valley to be classified as an "outstanding natural landscape" rather than a "significant amenity landscape." The trust has asked for the cultural and heritage values of the Nevis to be recognised in the district plan.
